© Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness

Lord Mandelson has resigned his membership of the Labour Party, saying he does not want to “cause further embarrassment” following renewed scrutiny over his past association with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The decision follows the latest release of documents by the US Department of Justice, which appear to show that Epstein made payments totalling $75,000 (£55,000) referencing Lord Mandelson. According to the documents, three separate payments of $25,000 were made between 2003 and 2004. He previously denied receiving any money from Jeffery Epstien.

In a letter to Labour’s general secretary, Lord Mandelson said he regretted being linked once again to what he described as the “understandable furore” surrounding Epstein.

“I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this,” he wrote. “Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.”

He added that, while he carries out his own inquiries into the matter, he did not wish to bring further damage to the party. “While doing this I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party,” the letter continued.

Earlier on Sunday, Peter Mandelson, a former Labour cabinet minister and European commissioner, said he did not know whether the documents released by US authorities were authentic.

He reiterated his long-standing regret over his association with Epstein, stating that he was sorry for “ever having known” the disgraced financier and for maintaining contact with him after Epstein’s conviction. Lord Mandelson also issued an unequivocal apology to “the women and girls who suffered” as a result of Epstein’s crimes.

The developments are likely to add pressure on Labour as it seeks to distance itself from historic controversies linked to senior figures from previous governments.