Lord Mandelson, the former US ambassador who was dismissed over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, has been removed from his prestigious honorary role at the Design Museum in London. This action follows his termination by PM Keir Starmer in September after details of his relationship with the disgraced financier came to light. Additionally, Manchester Metropolitan University revoked his honors and he resigned as a fellow of an Oxford college. Recent revelations indicate that Lord Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein until 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 and is no longer an Emeritus Trustee. The decision to remove his honorary title was made by the museum.
Email exchanges between Lord Mandelson and Epstein showed continued communication, including warnings to stay away from Prince Andrew, who faced allegations of sexual abuse. Lord Mandelson’s involvement with Epstein dates back to 2010, with messages indicating support and advice given to the convicted offender. Despite Lord Mandelson expressing regret for his association with Epstein, the controversy surrounding his interactions with the sex offender led to his removal from various positions.
Lord Mandelson’s association with Epstein continued even as he assumed the role of chairman at the Design Museum in late 2016. The museum, a registered charity, recently received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research council and is currently showcasing exhibitions on London’s 1980s style transformations and director Wes Anderson’s work. Lord Mandelson, when contacted, expressed regret over his past relationship with Epstein.