Labour MPs and groups react to Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment and Epstein ties

Olivia Barber 

Yesterday
Left Foot Forward

"While working people faced the fallout of a financial crisis he helped manage, he was exchanging power and access with a convicted criminal."

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In a heated PMQs today, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Keir Starmer over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US in December 2024, despite media reports already having exposed Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer said that he knew about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, but that the former US ambassador “repeatedly lied” about the extent of his relationship with the convicted sex offender.

The former Labour minister has also been accused of leaking market-sensitive government information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crash.

The Conservatives are looking to force the release of official documents about Mandelson’s appointment during an opposition-day debate later today.

Labour has tabled an amendment seeking to create certain exemptions on the grounds of national security and international relations.

Reacting to the news, Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell told Left Foot Forward that she will not support the government’s amendment this afternoon.

Maskell said: “With the Prime Minister’s admission that he knew of an ongoing association between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Mandelson, after such a heinous conviction, it is astonishing that he appointed him, not only to one of the highest ambassadorial roles but entrusted him with our security.

“The bigger question that needs to be asked is who else gave him access on governmental or Labour Party matters, and how far did his influence reach. It is time for the spotlights to be shone on into every corner as we all suspect that his reach went far beyond just No.10.

She added “I will not support the amendment this afternoon, as I am convinced the process must be more transparent and therefore support a process with the IS Committee (Intelligence and Security Committee).”

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has also backed the calls for the ISC to decide what information is shared.

Mainstream’s Interim Council reacted to the Mandelson situation, saying: “Peter Mandelson represents an old politics of elite privilege, spin and toxic factionalism taken to its most grotesque conclusion.

“While working people faced the fallout of a financial crisis he helped manage, he was exchanging power and access with a convicted criminal. And then, despite all this, he was handed one of the most powerful diplomatic posts on the planet. This is an affront to all victims and survivors of sexual violence and exploitation.

“This is a fundamental betrayal of the people we are meant to serve. It shows a party culture that too often rewards connections over character and factional loyalty over basic integrity. Our members feel this betrayal deeply. They joined Labour to transform the country, not to watch it succumb to the same old sickness.

“That era must end now, it’s time for a clean break. We need a Labour Party led by its members, built on transparency, principle and radical change. We need representatives on our NEC and NPF who will fight for that democratic, member-led future.”

Steve Bannon boasted about Farage ties in emails with Epstein


Olivia Barber

3 February, 2026 
Left Foot Forward News


This comes as a photo shows Reform's Gorton and Denton by-election candidate Matt Goodwin posing with Steve Bannon last year

Former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon claimed in messages to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that he had been made an advisor to Nigel Farage.

This comes as an image has surfaced of Bannon posing for a photo in January 2025 with a smiling Matt Goodwin, the candidate for Farage’s Reform UK in the crucial Gorton and Denton by-election this month.

The messages, sent in March 2018, show Bannon discussing plans to meet Epstein in Paris after speaking at a Front National conference in Lille, where Marine Le Pen was attempting to relaunch her party.

Responding to Bannon’s speech, Epstein wrote: “Very well done, congratulations!”.

Bannon went on to boast that he was now an “advisor to Front [Nationale]; [Matteo] Salvini’s far-right League party, Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) in Germany, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Farage in Britain.

He says “next May is European Parliament elections— we can go from 92!seats to 200— shut down any crypto legislation or anything else we want”.

Epstein replied: “Roger that”.

Bannon is a bitcoin investor who has described cryptocurrency as “disruptive populism”, stating that “control of the currency, is control of everything”.

In 2017 and 2018, Farage had discussions with Bannon about fronting a far-right European group led by him.

This comes as a resurfaced photo taken in January 2025 shows Matt Goodwin, Reform UK’s candidate in this month’s Gorton and Denton by-election, posing with Bannon.

Goodwin, a former GB News presenter and academic, wrote on Substack that he had “joined a meeting with the leaders of Europe’s anti-establishment parties” in Washington DC.

He added that he attended Nigel Farage’s “Stars and Stripes” party at the Hay-Adams Hotel, which he said was “packed with countless American and British politicians and donors”, and described “one of my most interesting discussions” at another event hosted by Bannon.


Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has emails in the Epstein files


Olivia Barber 

3 February, 2026 

Left Foot Forward 


In the emails he asks for Ghislaine Maxwell’s email address and phone number and mentions that he'll be in New York

Messages between Reform UK’s treasurer Nick Candy and associates of Jeffrey Epstein have emerged in the newly released Epstein files.

The former Tory donor was appointed as Reform’s treasurer in December 2024. Candy pledged to donate a seven figure sum to Reform, and added: “I will also raise Reform more money than any party has raised in this country”.

In an email from 2014, Epstein said “I like both of those guys”, referring to Nick and his brother Christian.

In another message from 2010, one of Candy’s properties at One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge is offered to Epstein for £80 million.

Epstein was first investigated for allegations of child sexual abuse in 2005, and was convicted by a Florida state court for procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute in 2008.

Some of the messages are with someone who signs off as “Sarah”, who appears to be Sarah Kellen, an American interior designer described as a central figure in Epstein’s inner circle and sex-trafficking operation.

In a message sent in 2004, Sarah said: “So Ghislaine was very disappointed that you didn’t tell her you were coming into town! III in Palm Beach now and hoping to be back in the city Thursday. I will let you know as soon as it’s set and we’ll set a night to have dinner.”

Candy then asked for the email address of Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein who is now serving a 20-year federal sentence for child sex trafficking.

In a later email, he asked for both Sarah and Ghislaine’s phone numbers, noting that he would be in New York for four days starting Thursday 9 December.

In response, Sarah provided her phone number and said: “Great! Unfortunately I won’t know for sure if I will be in NY during that time until that week; the nature of the job.”

“Hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon,” she added.

She also said she hoped Candy’s real estate “deal” went through ok. In response, Candy said: “I am now less hectic as I closed on our deal and we bought one of the best buildings in London at the end of Sloane Street in Knightsbridge.”

In another message, Sarah congratulated Candy on his deal, and said she had just been to Epstein’s island in the US Virgin Islands.

“I had a very nice relaxing time, loads of very much needed sleep, and of course, I always behave myself! Careful with the party scene, it will suck you in and take over!”, she said.

She again says: “Hopefully it will work out for us to see each other.”

The files prove no criminal wrongdoing, but do show Candy had contacts within Epstein’s network.

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward