LONDON — The UK’s former ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, is stepping down as a member of the upper house of parliament, it was announced Tuesday, as a scandal deepened over his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The veteran Labour politician, former UK government minister and EU trade commissioner, had announced he was resigning from the House of Lords as of Wednesday, Speaker Michael Forsyth told members.

“The clerk of the parliaments has today (Tuesday) received notification from Lord Mandelson of his intention to retire from the House, effective from February 4 (Wednesday),” Forsyth said.

The move came shortly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Mandelson had “let his country down” after a slew of emails released by US authorities, which detailed his cosy ties with the American financier.

Starmer told ministers he was “appalled” at revelations regarding Mandelson that emerged over the weekend, according to a Downing Street readout of a cabinet meeting.

“The alleged passing on of emails of highly sensitive government business was disgraceful,” the prime minister said, adding he was not yet “reassured that the totality of information had yet emerged” regarding Mandelson’s links with Epstein.

Starmer also said he had asked officials to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his peerage “as quickly as possible” and made it clear the government “would cooperate” with any police inquiries into the matter.

Mandelson will retain the title of lord after he retires unless lawmakers pass........

© The Times of Israel