An unusual photograph from the Jeffrey Epstein files shows Lord Peter Mandelson standing in his underpants inside one of the convicted sex offender’s residences. The image captures the former UK ambassador to the US conversing with a woman dressed in a white bathrobe while pointing to a computer tablet in what appears to be a room at Epstein’s New York mansion.
Background on the Image
Lord Mandelson, who lost his position as UK ambassador to the US last September amid revelations of his ties to Epstein, wears a dark t-shirt and white Y-fronts in the photo. A source close to Lord Mandelson states that he has no memory of the picture being taken, nor does he know its location or the photographer.
Revealed Emails and Financial Support
Recently unsealed emails from a cache of three million documents related to Epstein highlight financial assistance provided to Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. On September 7, 2009—two months after Epstein’s release from an 18-month prison sentence for child sex offenses—da Silva emailed Epstein requesting funds for an osteopathy course, including fees, anatomical models, and a laptop.
Da Silva specified the annual fee as £3,225 and provided bank transfer details. Epstein replied promptly, stating, ‘I will wire your loan amount immediately.’ Mandelson followed up in an email, instructing, ‘Remind him that to avoid a gift-tax filing it must be a loan.’
Days later, on September 17, da Silva expressed gratitude, noting, ‘Thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning.’ In April 2010, da Silva shared his bank details again, prompting Epstein to forward the request to his accountant with the directive: ‘Send 13k dollars.’ Another email from Epstein read: ‘Send 2k per month to Reinaldo.’
During Epstein’s prison term in a day-release program in July 2009, he emailed Mandelson: ‘You didn’t call me. I spent an hour with Rinaldo…(sic).’ Mandelson responded apologetically, explaining, ‘I was immersed in Afghanistan…thanks for talking to Reinaldo. It did him (therefore me) a lot of good. You now see the problems. I cannot talk to him about these things at all. He won’t listen. I am doing Sunday media then will call. Thanks again xxx.’
At the time of these exchanges, Mandelson served as business secretary in the UK government and was in a relationship with da Silva; the couple married in 2023.
Extent of Mandelson’s Ties to Epstein
Mandelson’s association with Epstein began around 2002 and lasted until 2011, overlapping with his roles as a cabinet minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Flight logs confirm Mandelson traveled on Epstein’s private jet, known as the ‘Lolita Express,’ and visited his properties in New York, Palm Beach, and a private Caribbean island.
Earlier released images depict Mandelson in a bathrobe and swimming trunks at Epstein’s properties. A 2003 birthday book entry from Mandelson to Epstein described him as ‘my best pal,’ expressed admiration with ‘I think the world of you,’ and encouraged him to ‘fight for early release’ from jail.
Mandelson’s Apology and Current Status
Mandelson has issued multiple apologies for maintaining the friendship post-Epstein’s conviction and remains on leave from the House of Lords. Critics call for revocation of his peerage and expulsion from the Labour Party.
In a recent statement, Mandelson said: ‘I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered. I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the actual truth about him after his death.’
Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019.
