Lord Mandelson is facing intense pressure to resign over excruciating messages to Jeffrey Epstein whom he described as 'my best pal'.

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.

American 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.

Downing Street and Cabinet ministers shrugged off questions about the Labour peer's judgment, but critics are questioning whether his position remains tenable.

The revelation comes just a week before the crucial state visit by US President Donald Trump to the UK in which Lord Mandelson is playing a key role.