Epstein Victim's Family Slam 'Corrupt' Appointment of Fired UK Ambassador to US

Source: Newsweek

Published Sep 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM EDT | Updated Sep 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM EDT


The family of Virginia Giuffre, the most prominent accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein case, have criticized the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States.

Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, and his wife Amanda, said Mandelson's appointment "speaks to how deep the corruption goes in our systems," in an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday—the family's first U.K. broadcast interview since Giuffre's death. Newsweek has contacted the House of Lords and Mandelson's firm Global Counsel, via email, for comment on his behalf, and the British Prime Minister's office.

Why It Matters

The criticism comes after Mandelson was fired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the release of emails showing Mandelson offering support to Epstein while he faced sex abuse offense charges in 2008. The family's public criticism raises questions about the vetting of political appointees, accountability for ties to Epstein and the handling of survivors' concerns by government institutions, at a moment when U.K.-U.S. relations are in the spotlight ahead of a planned state visit by President Donald Trump. Senior ministers and opposition parties in Westminster have demanded explanations about what was known during vetting and when.

What To Know

Mandelson was withdrawn as the U.K. ambassador to the United States after emails surfaced showing he wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 urging him to "fight for early release," while the disgraced financier awaited sentencing for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/virgina-giuffre-family-british-ambassador-sky-roberts-peter-mandelson-2129602