SIR KEIR Starmer was facing growing pressure last night to sack Lord Mandelson as British ambassador to the US over his ties to disgraced Jeffrey Elstein.
Labour MPs broke ranks demanding the party grandee be removed from post after he described paedophile financier as his “best pal”.
Calls for his departure came as a picture emerged from a 2002 holiday on Epstein’s private island showing Mandelson dressed in just a bathrobe.
But the row looks set to overshadow next week’s State Visit to the UK by US President Donald Trump where he is expected to attend, including the showpiece Windsor Castle banquet.
The Prime Minister insisted that “due process was followed” when he was appointed at the end of last year.
But Downing Street later repeatedly avoided giving a straight answer on how much the PM knew about his close links to Epstein – insisting that “extensive vetting” had taken place.
Sir Keir was called upon by the Tories to release a dossier completed during the vetting process for the Washington DC job.
When asked whether he should stay in post, Labour MP and wannabe deputy leader candidate Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: “No… I think that’s going to disturb quite a few people.”
She added that Number 10 should launch an immediate probe. She said: “There should definitely be an investigation into it because there will be a huge amount of concern and if the outcome is that he should resign, he should.”
- Watch Harry Cole Saves The West on our YouTube channel here
Labour colleague Kim Johnson questioned how he is serving in post. She said: “The fact is this was known before he was given this position.”
She added: “As much as he says on radio that he regrets it, the fact is that he called him his ‘best pal’ in his birthday card, he made money from him.
“This suggests to me a very strong relationship because who sends cards with those comments on? He should never have got it in the first place.”
Mandelson’s words to Epstein can be read in a birthday book from 2003 which was compiled by British convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
He also called Epstein “mysterious” and “intelligent, sharp-witted man”.
It was published by the US Congress following a request for documents to the Epstein estate.
The PM was probed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch who asked him whether he had “full confidence” in his ambassador.
Sir Keir replied: “The ambassador has repeatedly expressed his deep regret for his association with him. He is right to do so.
“I have confidence in him, and he is playing an important role in the UK-US relationship.”
Ms Badenoch said that the support for his senior ambassador was a “disgrace” and said the government was “mired in scandal”.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also questioned what other “compromising material” the Trump administration might have on him.
Sir Keir Starmer was facing growing pressure last night to sack Lord Mandelson as British ambassador to the US[/caption]
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
