British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret for appointing Peter Mandelson as the U.S. ambassador, who was a close associate of the late sex offender. Starmer admitted that he was unaware of the extent of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein when he appointed him in December 2024, accusing Mandelson of deceit regarding their connections.
In a statement, Starmer expressed remorse for the harm inflicted on the victims and acknowledged the failure of individuals in positions of power. He also apologized for believing Mandelson’s falsehoods and the subsequent public scrutiny. Starmer had previously committed to disclosing the vetting advice he received before selecting Mandelson but cited a police request to refrain from releasing information that could prejudice an ongoing investigation.
The allegations against Mandelson, 72, include claims of sharing sensitive government information with Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019 after facing federal charges in the U.S. Starmer emphasized that while it was public knowledge that Mandelson knew Epstein, the true nature and depth of their relationship had not been fully understood.
Despite facing questions from reporters about his judgment in appointing Mandelson, Starmer stated that he does not believe his error warrants stepping down as prime minister. He acknowledged the public’s anger and frustration, expressing his own feelings of anger over the situation.
Mandelson’s name surfaced in recent releases of files by the U.S. Justice Department related to Epstein investigations, alongside prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Elon Musk. These disclosures have raised questions about their associations with Epstein, though mere inclusion in the files does not imply criminal conduct.
Following the revelations, Mandelson resigned from both his party and the House of Lords. Clive Efford, a Labour lawmaker, raised concerns in Parliament about the advice provided to the prime minister regarding Mandelson’s appointment. Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer for evading accountability by using the police investigation as a shield against addressing the vetting process failure.
Mandelson, a former MP who served in various roles under Labour governments, including obtaining a peerage in the House of Lords, was dismissed from his ambassadorial position last September. Emails disclosed in the media showed his support for Epstein’s early release during previous legal issues, prompting his resignation from political positions.
In a statement last year, Mandelson expressed regret for his association with Epstein, acknowledging his naivety in believing Epstein’s deceitful persona. Starmer later voiced his support for Mandelson in Parliament following his statements.
Former U.S. President Trump, when asked about Mandelson’s resignation, expressed disappointment before diverting the conversation to downplay his connections to Epstein and shift blame to Democrats for diverting attention from his administration’s achievements.
