Maurice Glasman, a Labour peer and founder of Blue Labour, told Sky News he warned Number 10 about photographs showing Peter Mandelson with Jeffrey Epstein before Mandelson’s nomination as UK ambassador to the US. Glasman said aides Morgan McSweeney and Paul Ovendon were alerted but did not act on his advice. Mandelson was appointed in February 2025 and left the post in September 2025 after further Epstein-related messages surfaced. Glasman warned the association risked undermining public trust.
Labour Peer Says Number 10 Ignored Warning Over Peter Mandelson’s Photos With Jeffrey Epstein
The British government was warned about photographs showing Peter Mandelson with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before Prime Minister Keir Starmer nominated Mandelson as the U.K. ambassador to the United States, Labour peer Maurice Glasman told Sky News.
Glasman, a member of the House of Lords and founder of Blue Labour, said he raised concerns after people in Washington approached him with images of Mandelson in informal situations alongside Epstein. He described being shown multiple pictures and said the images made Mandelson an "inappropriate choice" for the ambassadorial post.
"When I was in D.C., it was almost exactly a year ago, people just walked up to me with their phones with Peter Mandelson blowing out the birthday candles with Jeffrey Epstein and in his bathrobe. I mean, all these pictures," Glasman told Sky News. "I hadn’t seen the one with the pants down in the hotel room, but many others."
Glasman said he communicated his concerns directly to Number 10 and to specific aides, naming Morgan McSweeney and Paul Ovendon. "I sent that to Number 10. As I said, I sent it to [staffers] Morgan McSweeney and Paul Ovendon. But I mean, they didn’t take my advice," he said.
Timeline and Developments
Mandelson was appointed as U.K. ambassador to the United States in February 2025. He served in that role until September 2025, when media reports published additional material about his relationship with Epstein, including messages in which Mandelson reportedly called Epstein his "best pal" and expressed support for his "early release" while Epstein was serving a sentence for child sex crimes.
Political Significance
Glasman warned that when long-standing rumours or conspiracy theories are confirmed by evidence, it can be "a catastrophic event" for public trust in institutions. His comments underscore the political sensitivity of appointments that may be perceived to create troubling associations with convicted criminals.
The interview was first reported by Sky News and subsequently covered by other outlets. This account reflects Glasman's statements as reported in broadcast and media coverage.
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