Lord Peter Mandelson is set to lose the Freedom of Hartlepool accolade due to his strong connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was made by council members in a unanimous vote on Thursday, stripping the honor from Mandelson, who represented Hartlepool as a Member of Parliament from 1992 to 2004.
This action follows Mandelson’s recent dismissal as a U.S. ambassador after leaked messages surfaced, indicating his support for Epstein following the latter’s guilty plea in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The leaked emails, obtained by Bloomberg, revealed Mandelson advising Epstein to “fight for early release” just before the sex offender was sentenced to prison. Mandelson was also reported to have praised Epstein the day before he began serving his sentence.
Lord Mandelson, a key figure in the New Labour movement, has already had several honors revoked by Manchester Metropolitan University, where he served as chancellor from 2016 to 2024. The decision by Hartlepool council to withdraw his honorary title was based on the acknowledgment of a close and enduring relationship between Mandelson and Epstein, spanning beyond Epstein’s conviction until his death in 2019.
The council motion emphasized that the Freedom of the Borough of Hartlepool is granted to individuals who have made significant contributions while upholding the values and integrity of the borough. The association between Mandelson and Epstein was deemed incompatible with the honor’s values and dignity, posing a risk to the town’s reputation if not addressed.
Despite expressing regret over his past association with Epstein, Lord Mandelson’s ties to the convicted sex offender were cited as grounds for the removal of his honorary title. The council’s decision underscores the importance of upholding community values and integrity in bestowing civic honors.