who is mandelson

Peter Mandelson is a British politician, lobbyist, and diplomat born on October 21, 1953. He played a significant role in transforming the Labour Party into "New Labour" and served in various high-profile positions including Member of Parliament for Hartlepool (1992-2004), Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Business Secretary, and First Secretary of State. Mandelson was a close ally and adviser to Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was also European Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008 and later became a life peer in the House of Lords. In 2025, Mandelson briefly served as the British Ambassador to the United States under Prime Minister Keir Starmer but was sacked after revelations surfaced about his close relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson had called Epstein his "best pal," which led to significant controversy and his dismissal from the ambassadorial post. Despite controversies and resignations during his political career, Mandelson is regarded as a key figure in British politics, known for his media savvy and influential behind-the-scenes role, earning him the nickname "Prince of Darkness".