Former US ambassador Peter Mandelson has been removed from his honorary position at the Design Museum following controversy surrounding his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, who was dismissed by PM Keir Starmer in September due to his close ties to Epstein, has also faced backlash from other institutions such as Manchester Metropolitan University and an Oxford college where he resigned as a fellow. It was revealed that Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein until as late as 2016.
After an inquiry, the Design Museum removed Mandelson from its list of “Trustee Emeriti,” where he was previously listed alongside other notable figures. A spokesperson clarified that Mandelson no longer holds any formal role at the museum and that the honorary title was removed by the museum itself.
Emails disclosed that Mandelson exchanged messages with Epstein, advising him to stay away from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amidst allegations of sexual abuse. Mandelson’s correspondence with Epstein continued even after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor. Mandelson’s involvement with Epstein has led to his removal from prestigious positions and tarnished his reputation.
Mandelson, a key figure in the New Labour era, served as Chairman of the Design Museum from 2017 to 2023, before his profile was taken down. The Design Museum, a registered charity, has received funding from various sources and is currently hosting exhibitions on influential cultural topics.
Despite expressing regret over his association with Epstein, Mandelson has not provided further comment on the recent developments.
