A prominent American lawmaker has issued a stark warning, suggesting the Epstein files could destabilize the British government and leave the monarchy in an unprecedentedly fragile state.
Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, played a pivotal role in drafting the congressional bill that forced the release of files from former President Donald Trump’s administration. On Tuesday, Khanna was questioned about prominent figures, including Lord Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, just before Ghislaine Maxwell’s private deposition.
“From what I hear, Mandelson might bring down the entire government,” Khanna remarked prior to attending the House Oversight Committee hearing. During this session, Maxwell exercised her Fifth Amendment rights, opting not to provide testimony.
Khanna elaborated on the serious nature of the allegations against Mandelson, stating, “He engaged in terrible behavior. The accusations suggest he was working for Gordon Brown while leaking information about the UK’s potential Euro purchases, allowing Epstein to exploit the situation financially.”
He further commented, “I believe this situation has put the British monarchy in its most vulnerable position ever.”
Khanna advocated for scrutiny of the royal family, saying, “They ought to ask the King and Queen questions,” and hinted, “perhaps this could mark the end of the monarchy.”
The US lawmaker appears to have been referencing recent incidents where King Charles was heckled by members of the public over Andrew’s ties to Epstein.
Sir Keir Starmer faced the greatest crisis of his premiership on Monday as Scotland’s Labour leader Ana Sarwar called on him to resign over the Mandelson scandal.
US Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat from California, speaks to reporters before entering a House Oversight Committee closed-door virtual deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on February 9
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence on February 26, 2025
Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London
The Prime Minister’s position is in jeopardy over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador despite his friendship with the pedophile financier.
Mr Sarwar said he viewed Sir Keir as a ‘friend’ and a ‘decent man’ but there had been ‘too many mistakes’.
‘The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change,’ he told a press conference in Glasgow.
As Mr Sarwar was speaking, a series of Cabinet ministers rushed out statements in support of Sir Keir.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Mr Sarwar was ‘wrong’, while chief whip Jonathan Reynolds said: ‘Resorting to infighting now does not serve the country.’
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was the first of the Cabinet to post his support on social media, saying: ‘We should let nothing distract us from our mission to change Britain and we support the Prime Minister in doing that.’
Labour’s 37 Scottish MPs now face a choice: back Mr Sarwar or stay loyal to Sir Keir.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander gave his backing to Sir Keir.
Two of Sir Keir’s top aides resigned in the last 48 hours over Lord Mandelson’s appointment – chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications chief Tim Allan.
Sir Keir told staff at Downing Street on Monday morning that they must ‘go forward from here’ and prove that politics can be a ‘force for good’.
Speaking to his team about Mandelson, Sir Keir said: ‘The thing that makes me most angry is the undermining of the belief that politics can be a force for good and can change lives.’
The Prime Minister insists that he was misled by Lord Mandelson over his relationship with Epstein during the vetting process.
Sir Keir was forced to commit to releasing a swathe of material last week following a revolt by MPs.
The pressure on his premiership looks unlikely to ease as the Government prepares for the lengthy process of releasing tens of thousands of emails, messages and documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
Sir Keir believes the files will prove the Labour grandee lied about the extent of his ties to Epstein during his vetting.
He and his former chief of staff McSweeney, who quit on Sunday, have pinned blame on vetting by the security services for failing to disprove Lord Mandelson’s claims that he barely knew the late financier, which were dramatically undermined by disclosures in the Epstein files.
UK police last week opened a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson over emails which showed he may have shared market-sensitive information with the convicted sex offender.
Lord Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords last Tuesday. He retains his title which was conferred on him for life when he was appointed to the upper chamber in 2008.
