Prime Minister Keir Starmer has removed Peter Mandelson, the UK’s Ambassador to the United States, following the emergence of new emails highlighting Mandelson’s close relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Thursday, the government said Mandelson’s communications with Epstein “demonstrate a far deeper and more troubling connection” than previously disclosed.

The messages came to light through reports by The Sun and Bloomberg, which revealed Mandelson had provided supportive messages to Epstein during his 2008 criminal investigations.

“In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information,” the statement noted.

“In light of that, and in consideration of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, Mandelson has been removed from his post effective immediately.”

Mandelson, 71, a former Labour minister and longtime political strategist, had been appointed ambassador earlier this year.

He had previously served in key roles under former Prime Minister Tony Blair but resigned twice due to unrelated controversies.

According to the reports, Mandelson sent Epstein emails during the 2008 investigation encouraging him to “remember the Art of War” in dealing with prosecutors. In one message, he wrote.

“I think the world of you.” In another, he urged Epstein to pursue early release from prison. The emails also revealed that Mandelson referred to Epstein as his “best pal” in a 2003 birthday letter.

Responding to the allegations, Mandelson told the BBC he had “relied on assurances of [Epstein’s] innocence which later proved horrendously false.”

“His lawyers insisted it was all a setup, a conspiracy. I foolishly believed them. I deeply regret continuing that association for as long as I did,” Mandelson added.

The diplomatic fallout comes just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the UK on a state trip.

Mandelson had been tasked with strengthening ties between the UK and the Trump administration, a key element of the government’s post-Brexit foreign policy strategy.

Calls for Mandelson’s removal had intensified in recent days. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch labelled his position “untenable,” and several Labour MPs also urged Prime Minister Starmer to act.

On Wednesday, Starmer had defended Mandelson, stating that “due process was followed” at the time of his appointment.

However, the prime minister reversed course following the release of the emails.

“These revelations are incompatible with the responsibilities and ethical standards expected of our diplomatic representatives,” said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has removed Peter Mandelson, the UK’s Ambassador to the United States, following the emergence of new emails highlighting Mandelson’s close relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement released by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Thursday, the government said Mandelson’s communications with Epstein “demonstrate a far deeper and more troubling connection” than previously disclosed.

The messages came to light through reports by The Sun and Bloomberg, which revealed Mandelson had provided supportive messages to Epstein during his 2008 criminal investigations.

“In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information,” the statement noted.

“In light of that, and in consideration of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, Mandelson has been removed from his post effective immediately.”

Mandelson, 71, a former Labour minister and longtime political strategist, had been appointed ambassador earlier this year.

He had previously served in key roles under former Prime Minister Tony Blair but resigned twice due to unrelated controversies.

According to the reports, Mandelson sent Epstein emails during the 2008 investigation encouraging him to “remember the Art of War” in dealing with prosecutors. In one message, he wrote.

“I think the world of you.” In another, he urged Epstein to pursue early release from prison. The emails also revealed that Mandelson referred to Epstein as his “best pal” in a 2003 birthday letter.

Responding to the allegations, Mandelson told the BBC he had “relied on assurances of [Epstein’s] innocence which later proved horrendously false.”

“His lawyers insisted it was all a setup, a conspiracy. I foolishly believed them. I deeply regret continuing that association for as long as I did,” Mandelson added.

The diplomatic fallout comes just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the UK on a state trip.

Mandelson had been tasked with strengthening ties between the UK and the Trump administration, a key element of the government’s post-Brexit foreign policy strategy.

Calls for Mandelson’s removal had intensified in recent days. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch labelled his position “untenable,” and several Labour MPs also urged Prime Minister Starmer to act.

On Wednesday, Starmer had defended Mandelson, stating that “due process was followed” at the time of his appointment.

However, the prime minister reversed course following the release of the emails.

“These revelations are incompatible with the responsibilities and ethical standards expected of our diplomatic representatives,” said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Ghana has started receiving West African nationals deported from the United States, among them Nigerians, President John Dramani Mahama confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, Mahama revealed that the first group of 14 deportees, including Nigerians, a Gambian and others, have arrived in Accra.

Ghanaian authorities are coordinating their onward return to their home countries.

“We were approached by the US government to accept third-country nationals being deported, and we agreed that West African nationals could be accommodated because they do not require visas to enter Ghana,” the president explained.

Mahama highlighted that this decision was grounded in the fact that West Africans generally travel to Ghana visa-free.

The move aligns with Washington’s intensified deportation efforts under President Donald Trump, who has pursued policies pushing for the removal of migrants to “third countries” as part of a stricter immigration stance.

The Trump administration has already deported migrants to countries like Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda, despite concerns from human rights organizations about their safety.

Nigeria, in contrast, has declined similar requests from the US. In July, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that the government would not accept deportees from outside the country, citing economic and security risks.

President Trump also met with five West African leaders in the White House on July 9.

One of the main aims of the meeting was to encourage these countries including Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal to accept deported migrants from third nations.

The United Kingdom has lifted its travel ban on Kaduna State, moving it from the “Red” to the “Amber” category in its travel advisory, a clear sign of growing international confidence in the state’s improving security situation.

The announcement came during the signing of the Kaduna Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF) between Kaduna State Government and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Wednesday.

Kaduna was placed on the UK’s “Red” list in 2022 amid escalating insecurity from banditry and insurgent violence that led to school closures and mass displacement.

With the upgrade to “Amber,” British travelers can now visit Kaduna with fewer restrictions, though caution is still advised in some rural communities.

Governor Uba Sani and Cynthia Rowe, the UK’s Development Director for Nigeria, signed the KaMAF agreement, aimed at deepening cooperation in governance, education, health, agriculture and institutional reforms.

Governor Sani hailed the development as a “major endorsement of Kaduna’s resilience and reform efforts,” pointing to significant achievements in healthcare, education, and agricultural development under his administration.

“Over 10 percent of our 2025 budget is dedicated to enhancing crop and livestock productivity. This UK decision further motivates us to deliver inclusive growth,” he said.

The governor also highlighted initiatives such as the Local Government Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme, Issue-Based Projects, and Community Development Charters, designed to promote citizen engagement and ensure accountability.

“Our focus remains on building lasting institutions that transcend administrations, giving citizens a meaningful role in governance,” Sani added.

Cynthia Rowe praised Kaduna’s strides in security and reform, noting that the travel advisory upgrade reflects “significant improvements, especially in rural areas.”

“This change signals to investors and development partners that Kaduna is open for business,” she said, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to support Kaduna through KaMAF.

Rowe emphasized that KaMAF represents more than agreements on paper; it is about delivering real progress, supporting growth, strengthening institutions and ensuring inclusive development.