Lord Mandelson faced intense pressure last night over excruciating messages to 'my best pal' Jeffrey Epstein.
Britain's ambassador to Washington hailed his love for the disgraced financier as he sent photos of himself topless and wearing a fluffy white dressing gown, it emerged.
Downing Street and Cabinet ministers shrugged off questions about Lord Mandelson's judgment after US politicians released his holiday snaps from a visit in around 2002 to Epstein's Caribbean island – dubbed 'orgy island' by one of his sex slaves.
Critics questioned whether his position remained tenable, just a week before the crucial state visit by US President Donald Trump to the UK in which Lord Mandelson plays a key role.
The Labour peer has expressed his 'regret' for ever having met Epstein – who affectionately nicknamed him 'Petie'.
