Sacked former US ambassador Peter Mandelson has been removed from his honorary position at the prestigious Design Museum due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, who was dismissed by PM Keir Starmer in September following revelations of his close ties to Epstein, has also faced repercussions from Manchester Metropolitan University and an Oxford college.
The Design Museum, located in London, recently disclosed that Mandelson no longer holds any formal role within the institution. His previous position as Chair of Trustees ended in 2023, and his name has been removed from the list of former trustees recognized for their past service. The museum clarified that the honorary title of ‘Trustee Emeriti’ does not entail active involvement in its governance.
Emails revealed Mandelson’s continued communication with Epstein, including supportive messages sent as late as 2016. The correspondence also highlighted Mandelson’s warnings to Epstein to distance himself from Prince Andrew, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. Mandelson’s interactions with Epstein in 2016 occurred around the time he assumed the chairmanship at the Design Museum.
The Design Museum, a registered charity, received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council in 2023-2024. Currently hosting exhibitions on the iconic Blitz club night and director Wes Anderson’s work, the museum remains a cultural hub despite Mandelson’s removal. Mandelson, expressing regret over his association with Epstein, was not available for immediate comment.