Lord Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party, saying he does not want to “cause further embarrassment” amid revelations of his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Newly released U.S. Department of Justice files suggest Epstein made three payments to Mandelson in 2003 and 2004, though Mandelson says he has no record or recollection of receiving them.

He has apologized for ever knowing Epstein and for maintaining contact after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, expressing regret to Epstein’s victims.

Emails in the files also show Mandelson attempted to influence UK government policy on bankers’ bonuses at Epstein’s request, which he says reflected industry-wide concerns rather than favors for Epstein, the BBC has reported.

The resignation has drawn criticism from politicians calling for further investigation, including possible removal of Mandelson’s peerage, while his former Labour colleagues supported his decision to leave the party.