British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed regret and issued an apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as the U.S. ambassador, who had close ties with the deceased sex offender. Starmer admitted that he was unaware of the depth of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein when he appointed him in December 2024, accusing Mandelson of deceit regarding their connections.
Starmer acknowledged the failure in judgment, stating, “I am sorry for the harm caused to you, for the betrayal by powerful individuals, and for believing Mandelson’s falsehoods and appointing him. It is regrettable that you are once again subjected to this public scrutiny.”
While Starmer had initially planned to disclose the vetting advice he received when selecting Mandelson, he revealed on Thursday that he was bound by a police request not to release information that could impact an ongoing investigation. Allegations have surfaced that Mandelson, aged 72, shared confidential government information with Epstein, who passed away in 2019 while in custody following a federal indictment in the U.S.
Starmer expressed his understanding of the public’s discontent and frustration with the situation but affirmed that he did not view his error as grounds for resigning as the prime minister. In response to queries from journalists, he emphasized his feelings of anger towards the circumstances.
Mandelson was among the prominent figures named in the recent releases of files by the U.S. Justice Department related to Epstein investigations. While being mentioned in the files does not imply criminal misconduct, it has raised concerns about associations with Epstein. Mandelson denied knowledge of the full extent of Epstein’s activities, which included numerous allegations of abuse and trafficking by women. However, his interactions with Epstein persisted beyond the latter’s 2008 conviction in Florida.
Recent revelations from the Epstein files indicated that Mandelson provided information to Epstein concerning potential U.K. asset sales and tax adjustments in 2009, as well as advance notice of a European Union decision in 2010. Mandelson resigned from both his party and the House of Lords this week in light of the controversy.
Questions have been raised in Parliament regarding the advice given to the prime minister regarding Mandelson’s appointment. Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer for evading accountability behind the ongoing police inquiry and failing to provide clear explanations about the vetting process that overlooked Mandelson’s actions.
Starmer’s endorsement of Mandelson, who was relieved of his ambassadorial duties last September, came after Mandelson expressed remorse for his association with Epstein and his involvement in the scandal. Mandelson admitted to naively trusting Epstein’s deceitful narrative and regretted his continued ties with the convicted criminal.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about Mandelson’s resignation, expressed disappointment before diverting attention to his own connections with Epstein and attributing the situation to political distractions orchestrated by the Democrats.