"Home Office Minister Mike Tapp this said the prime minister continues to have "confidence in Mandelson" and his abilities as ambassador, adding the "disturbing" emails made him "shudder". Lord Mandelson is reported by Bloomberg to have told Epstein to "fight for early release" shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him, "I think the world of you" the day before he began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008."
"McDonald told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm afraid if he [Mandelson] doesn't do the right thing and resign today then the prime minister should sack him." The PM will face "inescapable" questions about his own judgement in appointing Mandelson, said McDonald, who suggested the vetting process may have failed. Asked how Labour MPs were feeling about Mandelson, McDonald said: "It is widespread revulsion that we, by association, being in the same party, are being brought under the microscope for something that he has done."
Widespread revulsion has emerged within the Labour Party over Lord Mandelson's links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, prompting calls for Mandelson to stand down immediately as the UK's ambassador to Washington. Emails reportedly show Mandelson told Epstein to 'fight for early release' and told him 'I think the world of you' shortly before Epstein began an 18‑month sentence in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The Conservatives increased pressure on the prime minister to remove Mandelson and an urgent parliamentary question was scheduled. The prime minister retained confidence in Mandelson despite the 'disturbing' emails, while concerns were raised about vetting and the prime minister's judgement.
Read at www.bbc.com
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