Peter Mandelson has a long history performing the "gray eminence" gigs of British politics, and his closeness to billionaire sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein brings an early end to the latest. After the publication of records detailing Mandelson and Epstein's weird and oleaginous friendship, Mandelson was fired today as Britain's ambassador to the U.S.

Mandelson had been under mounting pressure over his relationship with Epstein after US lawmakers on Monday released a "birthday book," compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, in which the veteran Labour party politician had penned a handwritten note describing Epstein as "my best pal." Despite the revelation, Starmer forcefully defended his ambassador on Wednesday, telling parliament that Mandelson had his "full confidence."

The "full

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