Emails show how Peter Mandelson had initially praised Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein, before appearing to turn decisively against the former royal, documents show
Peter Mandelson drove a wedge between his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after turning on the former royal, documents show.
The revelations deepen the scandal engulfing the former Cabinet minister, as victims and former staff of the late sex offender describe the Labour peer as an ever-present figure in Epstein’s life.
Emails show that Mandelson initially praised Andrew to Epstein, before later appearing to turn decisively against the royal as scrutiny around the sex offender intensified. In 2011, the former US ambassador openly admired the prince.
On December 14 that year, at 7.42pm, he emailed Epstein following an encounter with the then-Prince, writing: “Just met Andrew at something. He’s tough, I must say. I admire him for it.”
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But within four years, the tone had unmistakably shifted. On March 4, 2015, Epstein wrote to Mandelson with a telling admission: “I guesss you were right that my association /friendhip with andrew would come to no good deed. you. / hope you are well.”
The message strongly suggests the Labour peer had warned his pal that continued closeness to Andrew would prove toxic. Another email chain from January 2012 further highlights Mandelson’s intimate access to Epstein’s private life.
He asked: “What are you doing? Where staying.” Just a minute later came Epstein’s reply: “We are with the king now having chocolate dessert.” It remains unclear whether Epstein was referring to Prince Philip.
Now, victims and staff who say they repeatedly encountered Mandelson across Epstein’s properties, including his private island, Palm Beach estate and Manhattan mansion, have come forward to describe a relationship far closer than the public has ever been led to believe.
One victim told the Mirror: “For all those who think your Andrew was close to Jeffrey, Petey as we knew him makes the prince look like a passing acquaintance to him. Everywhere you went, Petey was there. If he wasn’t, they were always in contact. Always.”
Even in his absence, victims say, Mandelson was never truly gone, maintaining constant communication with the convicted sex offender.
Another victim, now a mother-of-two but who was abused as a teenager, offered a chillingly similar account. She recalled: “There were times were we would turn up and Mandelson was already there. It was like he lived with Jeffrey at times. He treated it like his own home.
“Jeffrey would always accommodate Mandelson. In fact, he would indulge him. It made you wonder what he gave Jeffrey. Although the two of them travelled the world, they were always in touch. Why are people only now seeing this? We never hid any of it.”
The account from victims depicts Mandelson as a man prioritised by Epstein – welcomed across multiple residences, afforded travel and privileges. The bitterness at the delayed public reckoning reflects years of frustration among those who say they witnessed his closeness first-hand.
Previously, Epstein’s Palm Beach housekeeper, Juan Alessi, described to the Mirror how Mandelson was a “regular” fixture at the Florida home. He recalled how the Labour grandee was initially close to Ghislaine Maxwell, but over time, Epstein became the central figure in his orbit.