Newly uncovered photo shows the trio together in casual settingA newly uncovered photograph shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson sitting with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first known image of the three together. The picture shows the men wearing bathrobes while seated outside at a wooden table with mugs decorated with the American flag. The image is believed to have been taken on Martha's Vineyard, an island off Cape Cod in Massachusetts known as a popular destination for wealthy visitors. The photograph was uncovered by ITV News and was reportedly among millions of Epstein-related files released earlier this year by the United States Department of Justice. No date was provided for the image. Mandelson message in Epstein birthday albumA similar photograph of Mandelson previously appeared in a birthday album created for Epstein in 2003. In a handwritten message included in the book, Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal,” describing him as an “intelligent sharp-witted man.” Epstein died in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Appearances in Epstein documentsBoth Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson appear several times in the large collection of documents linked to Epstein. According to reports, the files contain various photographs showing the men in informal situations connected to Epstein. Some images reportedly show Mountbatten-Windsor interacting with unidentified women, while others show Mandelson in casual situations including receiving a foot massage. There is no suggestion that appearing in the documents implies wrongdoing. Epstein had previously been jailed in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Investigations and falloutMountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson have both faced scrutiny over their relationships with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of royal roles and asked to vacate the large residence he occupied in Windsor. Last month he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he shared confidential information with Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy. He has denied any wrongdoing. Mandelson has also faced political consequences. He was dismissed as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States last September and resigned from the House of Lords in February following renewed attention to his ties with Epstein. He was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that he may have shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as business secretary in the government of Gordon Brown. Mandelson has denied wrongdoing, and his lawyers say he will cooperate fully with investigators. Both men have been released while the investigations continue. Pressure on the prime ministerThe controversy has also raised questions about the decision by Keir Starmer to appoint Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Starmer apologised again this week for the appointment, saying: “It was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.” His remarks followed the publication of 147 pages of government documents related to Mandelson’s appointment. Ethics review rejectedMembers of the opposition Conservative Party had called for an investigation into whether Starmer breached the ministerial code in making the appointment. However, the prime minister’s independent ethics adviser, Laurie Magnus, said there were no grounds to open an inquiry. In a written response, Magnus said the released documents indicated that the correct process for appointing a political envoy had been followed. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 13.03 2026
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