Lord Mandelson has been sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the US following damaging revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Keir Starmer has made the decision to remove Lord Mandelson from his role just days after it was revealed he had called the disgraced financier his “best pal” in notes written for a book on Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003.
Mandelson's dismal as ambassador to the US comes just days before Donald Trump’s visit to the UK next week.
The President of the US will undertake a three-day State Visit from Tuesday to Thursday.
Lord Mandelson has been sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the US following damaging revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Earlier this month, it was revealed that Donald Trump had issued a surprising invitation to the former British ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce.
The US President reached out to Dame Karen ahead of his upcoming State Visit to the UK.
Trump invited Dame Karen to attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle that will be hosted by King Charles.
The move was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of Lord Mandelson, who was the British ambassador to the US, until his sacking today.
The US President reached out to Dame Karen ahead of his upcoming State Visit to the UK.
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Lord Mandelson was also scheduled to attend the State Banquet due to being named on the British side of the guest list, but this is no longer be the case following his sacking.
The full guest list is expected to contain over 150 people, including royals, politicians and public figures with links to the UK and US.
A source told The Telegraph Dame Karen was still considered “one of the UK’s best assets”.
On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace confirmed a last-minute change to the dates of Donald Trump’s State Visit next week.
The President of the US and First Lady Melania Trump will spend three days in the UK and carry out multiple engagements with members of the Royal Family.
Trump will become the first elected leader in modern times to enjoy two UK state visits, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
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Trump will become the first elected leader in modern times to enjoy two UK state visits, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
However, the visit will exclude some traditional state visit elements such as a stay at Buckingham Palace or a ceremonial carriage procession along the Mall.
Buckingham Palace outlined in its official statement in July that President Trump’s trip to the UK would take place from Wednesday, September 17th - Friday, September 19th.
However, the Palace confirmed on Wednesday that the dates of the State Visit have been moved to Tuesday, 16th - Thursday, 18th.
The move will now result in the State Visit beginning on the same day that members of the Royal Family will attend the Duchess of Kent’s funeral.