Trump says he didn’t know UK Ambassador to US fired over Epstein links. Photos tell a different story

US President Donald Trump gestures next to Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a joint press conference. (Photo: AP)

Mandelson was in White House in May

Trump claimed not to know Mandelson despite the latter being the UK’s Ambassador to the US, who was at the White House several times. In May this year, Mandelson was photographed, standing next to Trump, in the Oval Office when the US and UK announced a trade framework.

Mandelson’s ties with Epstein

The 71-year-old was appointed UK’s Ambassador to the US in February and has held a range of senior positions in government under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Mandelson, who had previously said he regrets “ever meeting” him or “being introduced to him” by Maxwell, landed in trouble after the Epstein birthday book surfaced.

Mandelson described Epstein as “my best pal. (Photo: Reuters)

‘My best pal’

In a handwritten note, which was part of Epstein’s 50th birthday collection, Mandelson described the disgraced former financier as “my best pal.” While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially took no action against Mandelson after the birthday book surfaced, he was sacked the next day.

In a set of emails published by Bloomberg, Mandelson is reported to have told Epstein to “fight for early release” and, “I think the world of you,” the day before he began his prison sentence.

Despite Mandelson’s close ties with Epstein being well documented, on Monday, Starmer said: ‘Had I known then what I know now, I’d have never appointed Mandelson.’

Mandelson knew he was in trouble

According to The Guardian, Starmer knew that the UK’s Foreign Office had asked Mandelson questions about those emails, but he has insisted he did not know about their content.

A day before, he was fired as ambassador, Mandelson acknowledged that more “very embarrassing” details of his friendship with Epstein would come out.

He also insisted that he “never sought, nor did [Epstein] offer” any introductions to women in the same way as he had done for others.”