Epstein’s warning over Mandelson’s memoir
Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, is now under police investigation for misconduct in public office over revelations in the Epstein files. He described Epstein as his “chief life adviser”, and appears to have sent him a draft of his memoir, The Third Man: Life at the heart of New Labour in May 2010.
The financier was concerned that the gossipy nature of the manuscript would damage Mandelson’s potential for dealmaking in his post-political life. He wrote: “I think we should speak about this book … I have finished my first read. (yes, that fast, that’s what i do) … I find it troubling.”
Epstein said the book risked driving “a commercial stake through your heart” as “the deals you want to be involved in require, discretion, trust, handshakes, privacy”.
He went on: “This book announces that you are willing to sell all of these for a farthing. Your friend, and boss, Tony is more often described as frail, flustered, tired, weak, and Gordon [as] flawed, demanding, pig-headed, irrationally determined, and you, yourself as – wanting to “come clean”, humiliated, distraught, surprised, pleased, thoughtful, aggressive, hurt … My view is that businessmen will revolt … It is not uplifting, it is gossipy and defensive.”
Mandelson appears not to have agreed: “You have read it too fast. It is not those things. Nor is it finished.”
He maintains that he has not acted criminally, and was not motivated by financial gain. He has said that he was deceived by Epstein, whom he characterises as a “master manipulator”.
