Mandelson’s downfall is one of fastest ever seen in British public life

Links to Jeffrey Epstein have taken political operator from a vaunted position in British diplomacy to arrest in under six months

Just six months ago Peter Mandelson seemed unassailable as the UK's ambassador to the US, one of the most vaunted positions in British diplomacy. As our man in Washington, Mandelson appeared to have used his skill for schmoozing, learned over years as a cabinet minister and a European commissioner, to secure a good relationship with the tricky Trump administration. He was considered instrumental in securing a relatively favourable US trade deal for the UK.

He was also an influential voice in Labour politics with the ear of the prime minister and his inner circle, notably his friend and protege Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's then chief of staff.