Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, dismissed Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States on September 11. The reason: Mr. Mandelson's links with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The best friend
In a message published earlier this week by parliamentarians in Washington, the former European Commissioner calls the fallen American financier a best friend as well as an intelligent man. The letter comes from a guestbook produced to mark Mr. Epstein's 50ᵉ birthday.
"very embarrassing [...]"
On Wednesday, in an interview with The Sun, Peter Mandelson indeed said that this letter to Jeffrey Epstein was "very embarrassing [...] but it was written before he was charged."
Never "witnessed any wrongdoing"
He went on to say he deeply regrets having maintained this relationship with him for much longer than he should have, and that he had never witnessed any wrongdoing" or criminal activity.
Compromising e-mails
Later that same day, British media revealed that Peter Mandelson had sent e-mails of support to Jeffrey Epstein while the latter was on trial in Florida for trafficking in minors.
"I think the world of you"
"I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened," reads an e-mail sent to Mr. Epstein, just before he pleaded guilty to settle the case in 2008.
Epstein's friends
In the message, Mr Mandelson urges the then prisoner to [fight] for early release, stating that Epstein's friends are still by his side.
A blow for Starmer
This is a major blow for Keir Starmer, who was preparing for US President Donald Trump's visit to the UK on September 17 and 18.
At the bottom of the polls
With his popularity at an all-time low in the polls, the Prime Minister is also having difficulty convincing the British public of the effectiveness of his economic policy and his fight against immigration.