Lord Peter Mandelson could be looking to topple Sir Keir Starmer in an act of “vengeance”, believing he was unfairly dismissed from his role as US Ambassador over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Allies of the sacked top diplomat have warned he could be in line to deliver a parting death blow to the Prime Minister following his departure from office.

Sir Keir axed Lord Mandelson less than 24 hours after saying he had “full confidence” in him following the revelation that he called Jeffrey Epstein his “best pal” in a birthday message.

“Vengeance will be unleashed like a deposed Mafia Don,” an ally of the 71-year-old told The Sun.

They continued to put the Prime Minister on notice, saying: “Never doubt the sting of a dying wasp”, before adding that Lord Mandelson “knows very well how crap they are in Downing Street”.

Echoing the warning, one Whitehall source told The Times that there are concerns Lord Mandelson will “not go quietly” and that his departure could spark “some disastrous HR process”.

Despite his dismissal, GB News understands that Lord Mandelson could still be in line for a substantial taxpayer-funded payout.

However, an exact sum of how much could be paid is not yet known.

LORD MANDELSON’S LINKS TO EPSTEIN – READ MORE:

• Jeffrey Epstein may have been murdered while in prison, Lord Mandelson claims
• Lord Mandelson ‘thought the world of pal’ Jeffrey Epstein through ‘years of torture’ after arrest
• Keir Starmer scrambles to defend Peter Mandelson as Tories demand FULL Epstein messages be published

New information has also revealed that the former US Ambassador “admitted he continued his relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for many years” during his vetting interview.

He was reported to have told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He is then reported to have said: “I think the world of you” the day before the disgraced financier began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.

According to the Foreign Office, the decision to sack Lord Mandelson was made after emails showed “the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment”.

Lord Mandelson’s sacking means Britain has been left without a permanent ambassador to the US just days before President Donald Trump arrives for his state visit.

The US President will carry out a three-day State Visit to the UK from Tuesday to Thursday, and will become the first elected leader in modern times to enjoy two UK state visits.

It had previously been revealed that Mr Tump had invited Dame Karen Pierce, the former British ambassador to the US, to attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle.

Lord Mandelson was also expected to attend the State Banquet, but it is believed this will no longer be the case.