Shadows Over Hartlepool: Peter Mandelson's Epstein Ties to Local Charity Cast Doubt on Its Leadership...

Peter Mandelson, who was sacked as US Ambassador has been found to be linked to a local Hartlepool Charity whilst currently embroiled in a scandal regarding convicted Paedophile Jefferey Epstein.

14th September 2025

Revelations about Peter Mandelson's deep connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have now collided head-on with his role as the President of a local charity sparking renewed calls for him to be ousted from the role...

Just days after Mandelson was unceremoniously sacked from his position as UK Ambassador to the United States over the links to Convicted Paedophile Jefferey Epstein, questions are beginning to surface over his suitability to lead an organisation dedicated to supporting children and families in one of the UK's most deprived coastal towns.

Leaked Emails reveal, Mandelson was in Contact with Mr Epstein just after Mr Epstein's 2008 Conviction for Sex Trafficking

Mr Mandelson, the veteran Labour grandee and former MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, was ousted from his diplomatic post on September 11, 2025, following the release of damning emails that exposed his ongoing correspondence with Mr Epstein, even after the financier's 2008 conviction for sex trafficking.

The information revealing Mr Mandelson as the President of the organisation was handed to the Teesside & Durham Post by a member of the public

In one particularly chilling exchange highlighted by US lawmakers, Mandelson wrote to Epstein writing, "I think the world of you," and suggested challenging the conviction as wrongful.

These messages, unearthed from a 50th birthday album compiled for Mr Epstein, paint a picture of a relationship that extended far beyond just casual acquaintance—raising serious red flags for a man once dubbed the "Prince of Darkness" for his behind-the-scenes political machinations. But the scandal's tentacles have now reached right into the heart of Hartlepool, a town Mandelson once represented and where he has maintained a lingering influence. Families First (North East), a charity focused on providing vital support to vulnerable children, young people, and families—services ranging from mental health counseling to family mediation—lists Mandelson as its President.

The organisation's mission is noble: to transform lives in an area plagued by poverty, unemployment, and social challenges. Yet, locals are beginning to ask the uncomfortable question: How can a figure embroiled in the Epstein saga become the patron of a local charity with such a sensitive role?

Jonathan Brash, the Labour MP for Hartlepool was fundraising for the local charity when he took part in the Great North Run. Mr Brash is also listed as one of the Charities Patrons alongside Mr Mandelson

The revelations couldn't be more ironic or ill-timed. Only last week, on September 6, Jonathan Brash, the newly elected Labour MP for Hartlepool, laced up his running shoes for the Great North Run, fundraising explicitly for Families First. Brash, a long-time advocate for the charity where he serves as Patron and former Trustee, raised thousands to bolster its programs for at-risk youth. In a heartfelt social media post, he described the charity as a "lifeline" for Hartlepool's children, emphasising its nearly two decades of service. Brash's involvement underscores the charity's deep roots in the local community—but only amplifies the shock of Mandelson's Epstein associations.

Concerns have also began to bubble up from the grassroots, where several Hartlepool residents have contacted the Teesside & Durham Post directly, voicing unease over Mandelson's involvement in the local charity. "It's horrifying," said one local parent, whose child has benefited from the charity's after-school programs.

"This is an organisation that deals with kids and families every day. How can we trust someone with Epstein's shadow hanging over them? It's like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse."

Another local resident, a community volunteer, echoed the sentiment:

"Mandelson might have history here, but Epstein's crimes involved the exploitation of minors. The optics of this are disastrous, and the potential risks are too great."

Many claim Mr Mandelson's Links to the current Labour MP for Hartlepool need to be investigated

The links between Mandelson and Brash add another layer of complexity. Brash, who won the Hartlepool seat in the 2024 general election on a wave of Labour enthusiasm, has positioned himself as a champion of local causes. His fundraising efforts for Families First were meant to galvanise support for the local charity, but now they risk being seriously tainted by association. Whilst Mr Brash has not commented directly on Mandelson's sacking, the shared Labour lineage—both men tied to the party's North East machinery—invites considerable scrutiny. Is Brash aware of Mandelson's role? Has the MP's office vetted the charity's leadership amid the unfolding scandal? These questions remain unanswered, fueling speculation about potential conflicts of interest in a town where political patronage has long been a double-edged sword for elected officials.

Critics argue that Mandelson's appointment as President of the local charity, whenever it occurred, reflects a broader failure of due diligence within charitable and political circles. Families First, registered as a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, relies on public trust and donations to operate. With Mandelson's Epstein ties seemingly now public—detailed in reports from Bloomberg, CNN, and the BBC—the charity faces a reputational crisis. Donors may hesitate, volunteers could waver, and families in need might second-guess seeking help from an organisation led by someone whose judgment has been so profoundly questioned.

This episode is emblematic of deeper issues in British public life: the persistence of elite networks that shield figures like Mandelson from accountability until a scandal erupts.

Mandelson's career has been a rollercoaster of resignations—from the 1998 Hinduja passport affair to the 2001 home loan scandal—yet he's always bounced back, buoyed by Labour's inner circle. Now, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer quickly seeks to distances himself from the potential fallout of the crisis, claiming ignorance of the full extent of the emails, the damage to Hartlepool's most vulnerable is collateral. Families First, as a local charity must act swiftly, with Mr Mandelson ordered to step down immediately in order to safeguard the charity's integrity.

Brash, as MP and Patron, owes his constituents transparency—perhaps a public statement distancing the fundraising from the controversy. And regulators, including the Charity Commission, should investigate whether Mandelson's role complies with governance standards, especially given the charity's focus on child welfare.

There's calls for Mr Mandelson to be removed as Patron of the local charity & his 2009 honorary freeman of Hartlepool to be revoked ..

In a town striving for renewal, the shadows of Epstein and Mandelson threaten to dim the very light Families First seeks to provide. It's time for accountability, not excuses.

What do you think ?

Should Peter Mandelson be removed as the Patron of the local charity in the wake of the Epstein Scandal ?

• YES
• NO