Sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson has been removed from his honorary position at the renowned Design Museum following controversy surrounding his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former minister was ousted by PM Keir Starmer in September after details emerged about his close relationship with the disgraced late financier. Lord Mandelson has also been stripped of honors by Manchester Metropolitan University and resigned as a fellow of an Oxford college. Recent revelations indicate that he maintained contact with Epstein until as late as 2016.
The Design Museum had listed Lord Mandelson as a “Trustee Emeriti” on their website until our inquiry prompted the removal of his profile. A spokesperson confirmed that Lord Mandelson no longer holds any formal position at the museum, clarifying that his role as an Emeritus Trustee was purely honorary with no active involvement in the museum’s operations.
Email correspondence unveiled Lord Mandelson’s supportive messages to Epstein post-conviction, including a 2016 exchange where Epstein referenced Lord Mandelson’s birthday. The messages also revealed Mandelson’s warning to Epstein to distance himself from Prince Andrew, who faced allegations of sexual abuse.
Lord Mandelson’s association with Epstein led to his withdrawal from the Washington mission in September. His profile on the Design Museum’s website highlighted his tenure as Chairman from 2017 to 2023, emphasizing his distinguished career in politics.
The Design Museum, a registered charity, received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It is currently hosting exhibitions on the iconic Blitz club night and director Wes Anderson’s work. Mandelson, expressing regret over his ties to Epstein, was contacted for comment.
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