Lord Peter Mandelson is set to lose the Freedom of Hartlepool accolade due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, a notorious sex offender. The decision was made by local council members who unanimously voted to revoke the honor bestowed upon Mandelson during his tenure as Hartlepool’s MP from 1992 to 2004.
The move follows Mandelson’s dismissal as a US ambassador after leaked messages surfaced, indicating his support for Epstein following the latter’s conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. Reports suggest that Mandelson urged Epstein to seek early release before his sentencing to 18 months in prison and expressed admiration for him just before the start of his sentence.
As a key figure in New Labour, Lord Mandelson had previously faced similar setbacks, losing several honors from Manchester Metropolitan University. The recent decision by Hartlepool council reflects the community’s disapproval of Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein post-conviction until Epstein’s death in 2019.
The motion to strip Mandelson of the honorary title emphasized that such ties with a convicted criminal contradict the values and integrity the honor signifies. Failure to remove the honor was deemed a risk to the town’s reputation, prompting the council’s unanimous vote for its revocation.
In response to the decision, Lord Mandelson expressed regret over his past association with Epstein and acknowledged the suffering of Epstein’s victims. The council’s action underscores a firm stance against maintaining honors that are incongruent with the town’s values and principles.