Caribbean vacations with his ex "best pal" Jeffrey Epstein. Personal notes on the day of the alleged sex trafficker's arrest. Cryptic promises of a meeting with a "Mr. Big" who could help Epstein out.

These and other revelations of the apparent close, personal relationship between Britain's ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, and the late financier Epstein got the diplomat fired on Sept. 11. The notes surfaced in a trove of more than 100 emails between the two friends, obtained by Bloomberg News.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Mandelson on Thursday, recalling him from his Washington, D.C., embassy post.

"The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment," the British foreign office said in a statement. "In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein's crimes, he has been withdrawn as Ambassador with immediate effect."

Before he committed suicide in federal prison in 2019, Epstein faced years of accusations and federal and state charges associated with his alleged orchestration of an underage sex trafficking network. Calls for justice by victims continue today.

Congress released hundreds of pages documents this week that included a 2003 book of 50th birthday messages to Epstein compiled by his former partner, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The book includes notes, many of them lewd, from high-profile politicians, financiers and socialites – including the sacked British ambassador.

'He remains my best pal'

In a photo pasted into the birthday book in 2003, Mandelson lounges in a white bathrobe while talking with Epstein.

Mandelson included a handwritten note: "Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call 'mysterious' parachuted into my life," adding "wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!"

Another photo shows Mandelson at a dining table beside a scantily clad young woman and a note that says "leaving you with some 'interesting' friends to entertain instead..."

The birthday book made news again this week when its release made public a lewd note to Epstein bearing the signature of President Donald Trump. Trump denies any involvement in the note.

'I think the world of you'

Mandelson's notes of support continued after Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida state charges, including one count of soliciting prostitution, and began a 13-month prison sentence.

Federal prosecutors had dropped their sex trafficking investigation involving dozens of underage girls in exchange for a plea on lesser state charges.

Mandelson was rising through the ranks of British politics; at the time, he was European Commissioner for Trade. He would later be named to the House of Lords and held a Cabinet-level role in government.

And Epstein – who had access to email under a work-release program that let him leave jail and go to his office during the day – continued to write Mandelson asking him to curry favor for Epstein with American political leaders.

Epstein messaged Mandelson: "did you come across Governor crist,,from florida,, he is europe on a trade mission. He would be instrumental in a pardon, as i pled guilty to a STATE offence. how are you,, tell me more."

After Epstein was released from prison in July 2009, their correspondence continued until at least 2012, Bloomberg reported, citing emails that surfaced later in a 2023 lawsuit against JPMorgan over the investment bank's alleged role in financing Epstein's sex-trafficking ring. The bank settled out of court for $75 million.

Epstein remained free for roughly a decade until his 2019 arrest on new federal sex trafficking charges by prosecutors in New York. He was found dead in his prison cell in August 2019. Investigators ruled it a suicide.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: He offered to help Jeffrey Epstein fight sex abuse charges. Why UK ambassador was fired

Reporting by Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect