The British government announced on Thursday that it had fired its ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, after a flurry of emails and other correspondence painted a vivid portrait of his close ties to the financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement, the British Foreign Office said, “The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”

The government singled out an email from Mr. Mandelson to Mr. Epstein in 2008, in which Mr. Mandelson lamented Mr. Epstein’s conviction for soliciting sex from a minor and gave him advice about how to fight his legal troubles.

“Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information,” the statement said. “In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”

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