The UK has sacked Peter Mandelson as its ambassador to the US over his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, its foreign ministry has said.
Mr Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician who was key to the party's success under former leader Tony Blair, came under heavy scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after a birthday book was released including a letter purportedly from Mr Mandelson describing Epstein as "my best pal".
"In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador," Britain's foreign ministry said.
"The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment."
The ministry said the revelation of Mr Mandelson's suggestion that Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged was "new information".
Yesterday, Mr Starmer sought to defend Mr Mandelson after it emerged he had written a birthday note to Epstein in 2003 in which he described the financier as his "best pal".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Mr Starmer said he still had "confidence" in Mr Mandelson and "due process was followed" during his appointment.
But he soon faced calls to dismiss the peer following reports he had supported Epstein while the financier was being investigated for sexual offences.
Reports in both The Sun and Bloomberg revealed emails in which Mr Mandelson told Epstein he was "following you closely and here whenever you need" and urged him to "remember the Art of War" when dealing with prosecutors.
He is also reported to have told Epstein to "fight for early release" shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him, "I think the world of you" the day before he began his sentence.
Reports of emails between Mr Mandelson and Epstein prompted calls for the ambassador to be sacked from both Conservative and Labour politicians.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described the revelations as "sickening" and said Mr Mandelson's position was "untenable".
Asking why Mr Starmer had continued to defend him in the Commons, Ms Badenoch said: "This is a weak Prime Minister, leading a Government mired in scandal."
"The public deserves better," she said.
"Peter Mandelson needs to be fired now."
She was joined by Labour backbenchers Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome, who also called for Mr Mandelson to be sacked "immediately".
Both said the peer should never have been appointed to the role, while Ms Whittome added: "We either stand with victims or we don't."
The Conservatives also sought to increase the pressure on the Prime Minister by tabling a series of parliamentary questions asking for information about what Mr Mandelson had said about his association with Epstein during the vetting process for his diplomatic role.
Read more: Trump denies he signed Epstein 'birthday book'
Mr Mandelson was Northern Ireland Secretary from 1999 to 2001.
Meanwhile, shadow minister Alicia Kearns called on Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman and Labour deputy leadership hopeful Emily Thornberry to summon Mr Mandelson to give evidence before her committee.
Mr Mandelson himself offered an apology for his links to Epstein, telling The Sun he regretted "very, very deeply indeed carrying on" his association with the financier "for far longer than I should have done".
When asked whether he had continued a business or personal relationship with Epstein after he was charged with criminal offences, Mr Mandelson did not deny he maintained a form of relationship with him - responding: "It was not a business relationship."
He said he "never saw the wrongdoing" or "evidence of criminal activity", adding he does not believe he is "named in the Epstein files".
Mr Mandelson described the words he used in his birthday message as "very embarrassing to see and read".
Additional reporting: PA
