From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 2, 2026
Starmer urges Peter Mandelson to quit House of Lords over Jeffrey Epstein ties
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urges former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson to resign from the House of Lords, the British Parliament’s unelected upper chamber of politicians, donors and assorted notables, in the wake of new revelations regarding his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson was appointed for life to the House of Lords in 2008. Resigning would also mean relinquishing the noble title, Lord Mandelson, that he received at the time.
If he refuses, ejecting him would be a lengthy process requiring Parliament to pass legislation — a process last undertaken more than a century ago to remove the titles of aristocrats who sided with Germany in World War I.
“The prime minister believes that Peter Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use the title,” says Starmer spokesman Tom Wells. “However, the prime minister does not have the power to remove it.”
Mandelson — like the former Prince Andrew — is facing calls to testify about Epstein in the US. He has also resigned from Starmer’s Labour Party.
Cabinet minister Steve Reed says that both men have a “moral obligation” to help Epstein’s victims.
“If anybody has information or evidence that they can share that might help to understand what’s gone on and bring justice for those victims, then they should share it, whether that is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whether it’s Lord Mandelson, or whether it’s anybody else,” he tells Sky News.
The Times of Israel Community.