Lord Mandelson, a former US ambassador, has been removed from his honorary position at the Design Museum following controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision to strip him of this role comes after his dismissal by PM Keir Starmer in September due to revelations about his close relationship with Epstein. Mandelson has also faced repercussions from other institutions, including Manchester Metropolitan University and an Oxford college.
The Design Museum, a publicly-funded institution in London, recently confirmed that Mandelson no longer holds any formal position within the organization. His honorary title as Chair of Trustees, which he held until 2023, has been revoked. The museum clarified that the role of ‘Trustee Emeriti’ is purely honorary and does not involve any active participation in the museum’s activities.
Email correspondence revealed that Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein until as late as 2016, with supportive messages exchanged between the two. The messages also indicate that Mandelson advised Epstein to distance himself from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Mandelson’s interactions with Epstein have come under scrutiny, with reports of him expressing admiration for Epstein shortly before the latter’s imprisonment.
Mandelson’s involvement with Epstein coincided with his tenure as Chairman of the Design Museum from 2017 to 2023. However, his profile on the museum’s website has been removed following inquiries about his association with Epstein. The Design Museum, a registered charity, is currently hosting exhibitions on 1980s London style and director Wes Anderson’s work.
Mandelson, who has expressed regret over his ties to Epstein, was contacted for comment but has not responded publicly to the recent developments.
