A handwritten letter from British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein has been released by the US House Oversight Committee. The 10-page letter, written for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, describes Epstein as Mandelson’s “best pal” and portrays him as an “intelligent, sharp-witted” and “mysterious” individual.
The letter was included in a bound “birthday book” compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and accomplice. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of conspiring with Epstein to traffic minors for sex and is currently serving a 20-year sentence. The book features photographs of Mandelson, Epstein, and various settings linked to the financier.
In the letter, Mandelson recounts how Epstein would often appear and disappear unexpectedly, leaving him to entertain “interesting” friends. Despite this, Mandelson expresses his affection for Epstein, stating “But wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal! Happy Birthday, Jeffrey. We love you!!”
Mandelson has faced questions over his association with Epstein for years. A spokesperson for the ambassador stated that he “has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein” and previously described Epstein as a “prolific networker” whom he wished he had never met.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution and was awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges when he died in a Manhattan jail in 2019. The disclosure of Mandelson’s letter has sparked scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein, but a Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to have confidence in Mandelson, who has played a key role in strengthening trade and investment ties with Washington.
The release of the letter provides further context to the complex and controversial relationships surrounding Epstein, who was known for his connections to high-profile individuals. As the investigation into Epstein’s activities continues, the revelation of Mandelson’s close relationship with the convicted sex offender is likely to remain a topic of interest and scrutiny.
