Peter Mandelson 'called Jeffrey Epstein best pal' in birthday book

UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson described Jeffrey Epstein as his "best pal" in an alleged "birthday book" compiled for the sex trafficker.

Documents appear to show Lord Mandelson calling Epstein his "best pal" and writing of the friend "taking you by surprise… in one of his glorious homes he likes to share with his friends (yum yum)".

The pages are reportedly contained in files from the estate of the deceased billionaire paedophile, handed over to a Congressional committee.

A number of pages are said to include pictures of Lord Mandelson, a former Labour minister, and a message that reads: "Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call 'mysterious' parachuted into my life. You would spend many hours just waiting for him to turn up.

"And often, no sooner were you getting used to having him around, you would suddenly be alone…. again. Leaving you with some "interesting" friends to entertain instead…. Or just some dogs to keep you company (he wasn't always so keen on them)

"But then he would parachute back in… Very occasionally, taking you by surprise in some far off places Or in one of his glorious homes he likes to share with his friends (yum yum) But, wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal!

"Happy birthday, Jeffrey we love you!!"

Pictures of Lord Mandelson reportedly appear on the pages, which include an image of a tropical island.

The collection of birthday tributes include a hand-drawing of a woman's body, signed "Donald". They also contain a picture of Epstein holding an outsized cheque, signed by "DJTRUMP".

Beneath the image is a handwritten message that reads: "Jeffrey showing early talents with money + women! Sells 'fully depreciated (redacted) to Donald Trump for $22,500."

The US president has denied any impropriety involving Epstein, whom he once counted as a friend.

The newly-released files were handed over following a demand by the Oversight Committee of the US Congress.

They are from a book compiled by Epstein's co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, to celebrate Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003.

A 2019 internal report by JP Morgan bank, filed to a New York court in 2023, said that Epstein kept a "particularly close relationship with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior member of the British government".

An official spokesman for Lord Mandelson told the BBC: "Lord Mandelson has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein."

The spokesman also referred to previous comments Mandelson made to the Financial Times, in which he said: "I regret ever meeting him or being introduced to him by his partner Ghislaine Maxwell."