Reference News Network September 13 report - According to the website of the U.S. "Wall Street Journal" on September 12, British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was removed from his post on the 11th. A large number of emails showed that for a long time after Jeffrey Epstein was imprisoned for sexual crimes, Mandelson continued to provide support to this notorious American financier.

The UK Foreign Office said in a statement that Prime Minister Starmer had asked Mandelson to resign because the emails published by the "Sun" this week showed that Mandelson's relationship with Epstein was "significantly different from what was known at the time of his appointment."

A report by the "Sun" quoted an email reportedly sent by Mandelson to Epstein in June 2008. That month, Epstein pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution involving minors. The "Sun" reported that Mandelson wrote in the email: "I have great respect for you and feel helpless and angry about what happened." The letter ended with, "Your friends will be with you."

Mandelson had previously stated in a statement that he deeply regretted his past interactions with Epstein. The British Embassy in the United States did not immediately issue a comment.

On the 10th, Starmer initially supported Mandelson, saying that his appointment had been carefully reviewed. However, as Mandelson's relationship with Epstein was exposed, calls for Mandelson to resign from within the British political sphere grew louder.

Mandelson also wrote a message for a commemorative book compiled in 2003 for Epstein's 50th birthday.

This commemorative book, released this week by the U.S. Congress, includes several photos, including one of Mandelson laughing and chatting with Epstein.

Mandelson only arrived in Washington this February to take up his post, and his departure has created a vacancy in a key diplomatic position. Meanwhile, next week, President Trump will make a state visit to the UK, spending a few days with King Charles III.

Choosing Mandelson as the ambassador to the U.S. surprised some people. Mandelson helped Tony Blair become the British prime minister in the 1990s, but he has been involved in several scandals. However, British officials believed that he could use his political acumen to navigate smoothly in the White House under Trump's administration.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549545060660937262/

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