Keir Starmer apologies over Peter Mandelson scandal
Jill Lawless
London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apologized to his victims for appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prime Minister said Mandelson lied and “made Epstein look like someone he barely knew.”
He told the victims: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for what was done to you, I’m sorry that so many people in power let you down. I’m sorry that I believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him, and I’m sorry that even now you have to watch this story unfold publicly once again.”
Starmer appointed Mandelson, an experienced politician, as ambassador to the United States in 2024. The Prime Minister fired him in September following the publication of emails showing he maintained a friendship with Epstein after the latter was convicted in 2008 for sexual offenses involving a minor. Epstein died by suicide in a prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on US federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing dozens of girls.
Starmer has never met Epstein and is not accused of any crimes, but is under intense pressure over the appointment after newly released documents revealed new details of Mandelson’s close relationship with Epstein.
“I was lied to,” Starmer said. “It has been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth and darkness of this relationship.”
British police are investigating Mandelson for possible misconduct in public office. He is not accused of any sexual offenses.
Documents released last week by the U.S. Department of Justice contain new revelations, including documents that suggest Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis. There are also plenty of chatty, playful messages that hint at a much closer relationship than Mandelson has previously disclosed.
The newly released files also show that between 2003 and 2004, Epstein sent three payments totaling $75,000 to accounts linked to Mandelson or her partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva, who is now her husband.
72-year-old Mandelson has been one of the important and controversial figures of the Labor Party since the 1990s. He was forced to resign twice from senior positions in previous administrations due to money and ethics scandals.
He was chosen as ambassador because his business expertise, content network and mastery of the political “dark arts” were seen as a valuable asset in dealing with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Critics say Mandelson’s ties to Epstein make his appointment too risky and that Starmer is naive at best.
“I think it shows that the Prime Minister’s decision is questionable,” said Labor MP Paula Barker. “I think he’s got questions to answer. I think he’s got a long way to go to rebuild the public’s trust and confidence in our party.”
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