'Couldn't have come at a worse time': Trump's 'Epstein crisis' causing headaches with ally

Britain appears to be strongly considering bringing back Dame Karen Pierce as its Ambassador to the United States, after she served in that post from March 2020 to February 2025, The Daily Beast reported Wednesday, in an article titled "Why Only a Dame Can Solve D.C.’s Other Epstein Crisis."

Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador, lost his job as King Charles’ representative in Washington last week after a note he wrote in Epstein’s “Birthday Book” was made public, where he praised Epstein’s hospitality (“one of his glorious homes … yum yum”), along with damaging emails published by Bloomberg.

The controversy has renewed calls for Pierce, who was reportedly well regarded by both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, to be made the new ambassador. The Beast reported that the kerfuffle "couldn't have come at a worse time" for Trump.

But according to the report, Prime Minister Keir Starmer seems reluctant to reverse his choice of Mandelson, apparently because doing so would mean admitting he erred in backing him over Pierce.

"Boys will be boys. Frontrunners for the job include the current caretaker James Roscoe, who was Pierce’s deputy, former UK foreign secretary David Miliband, and Sir Richard Moore, the departing head of MI6, Britain’s spy agency best known as home of James Bond. At least he would be more discreet than Mandy," the report said.

Although Pierce is increasingly viewed as the safer, more broadly acceptable pick, internal political considerations and reputational damage to Starmer’s decision‐making may block her return, per the article.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, thousands marched through London protesting Trump’s visit to the UK.

On Monday, a large banner showing Trump alongside Epstein was displayed on the lawns of Windsor Castle by activists.