𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Peter Mandelson has been summoned to the US Congress to answer urgent questions about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. 

In a letter published this afternoon, Washington lawmakers said they want to hear first-hand evidence from the disgraced ambassador as part of their probe into the paedophilia scandal.

The letter says: “While you no longer serve as British ambassador to the United States and have stepped down from the House of Lords, it is clear that you possessed extensive social and business ties to Jeffrey Epstein and hold critical information pertaining to our investigation of Epstein’s operations.

“Given the appalling allegations regarding Epstein’s conduct, we request that you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with committee staff regarding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

Mr Mandelson has been given two weeks to respond to the demand, given the “urgency and gravity” of the scandal, causing enormous fallout in both Britain and the United States.

The letter from the House of Representatives adds: “The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers and understand the full extent of his criminal operations.

“In addition to public reporting, there are documents among the files released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that show you may have knowledge of his activities related to our investigation.

“In the interest of justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, we request that you cooperate with the Committee’s investigation by sitting for a transcribed interview with the Committee.”

They cite a number of pieces of evidence about the pair’s friendship, including a handwritten note in a 50th birthday book for Epstein in which Mandelson branded him his “best pal”.

The former Washington ambassador has suffered a staggering fall from grace in recent months, first getting sacked by Keir Starmer before being forced to resign in shame from the House of Lords.

His appointment is now threatening to bring down the entire government, after the Tories forced the government to publish all its messages and documents relating to both Mr Mandelson as US ambassador, and any other interference he may have had in the running of the state.

Already, Sir Keir has lost his right-hand man and chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, whose role in appointing Mr Mandelson to the top diplomatic posting was seen as the final straw for him after a succession of rows with Labour MPs.

Mr Mandelson is also under an ongoing investigation by the Met Police in London, over potential breaches of standards in public life.

Among the shocking revelations from the Epstein Files, currently being published in batches by the US Department of Justice, were revelations that Mr Mandelson sent Mr Epstein highly confidential, market-sensitive information during his time serving as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown’s government.

The information provided to Epstein, including details about UK asset sales and a Eurozone bailout package, could have helped the New York financier pocket millions.

Last week, police were seen raiding Mr Mandelson’s two UK properties in London and Wiltshire as they searched for any files that may assist the probe.

Mr Mandelson has always denied knowing anything about Mr Epstein’s illegal child abuse, insisting he was kept away from that part of the billionaire’s deprived lifestyle because he is gay.

The Epstein files revealed a much closer relationship between the pair than originally known, though it was clear the duo were close before Mandelson was appointed Washington ambassador by Keir Starmer.

The relationship stretched back to at least the early noughties, before flourishing over the coming years.

Mr Mandelson stayed at the billionaire’s New York townhouse after he had been first convicted of child assault, with emails revealing he encouraged the felon to “fight for early release”, and reassuring him that “your friends stay with you and love you”.

“I think the world of you, and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened. I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain.”

Mandelson and his now-husband also received tens of thousands of pounds from Mr Epstein, including £10,000 to Mr Mandelson’s partner to support an osteopathy course in 2009.

Mandelson claims to have no knowledge of the payments.