Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Labour party over his links to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here’s how the depth of their relationship – both before and after Epstein’s conviction for sexual crimes – has come to light.

The money

There are at least two occasions on which it is alleged Epstein handed large sums of money to Lord Mandelson or his husband.

Mandelson directly referenced one of the claims when announcing his resignation from the Labour party. Bank statements held among the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice appear to show that in 2003 to 2004 the disgraced financier paid a total of $75,000 (£54,750) into bank accounts of which Mandelson – then a Labour MP – was believed to be a beneficiary.

The former cabinet minister had already come under pressure over the second allegation that his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, had received £10,000 from Epstein about two months after the registered sex offender was released from prison in 2009. Epstein had served 13 months of an 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The files suggest the money was to fund an osteopathy course and other expenses.

Writing to Hollie Ridley, the general secretary of the Labour party, Mandelson said: “Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me. While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.”

The influence

The files also show evidence Mandelson advised Epstein on how the investment bank JP Morgan might lobby the government – of which he was a part – on plans for a tax on bankers’ bonuses.

Read More: How the depth of Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein came to light