Lord Mandelson apologises to victims of Jeffrey Epstein
Lord Peter Mandelson has “absolutely” apologized to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for continuing his friendship with the pedophile financier after his conviction.
Britain’s former ambassador to the US refused to apologize to Epstein’s victims over the weekend, later saying he was “ignorant” about Epstein’s crimes.
In his first major on-air interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday since his sacking in September, he only apologized for the system that meant Epstein’s victims were not listened to. But she did not apologize for her relationship with the sex offender.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to promoting prostitution and soliciting a minor, but Lord Mandelson said he believed his excuses and continued to support him.
However, in a statement broadcast to the BBC on Monday evening news nightLord Mandelson offered a more direct apology.
He said: “Yesterday, I did not want to be held responsible for (Epstein’s) crimes, of which I was neither ignorant nor indifferent, because of the lies he told me and many others.
“I made a mistake in believing him after his conviction and continuing my relationship with him afterwards. I publicly apologize for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.”
In the interview published on Sunday, Lord Mandelson said it was “misplaced loyalty” and “a terrible mistake on my part”.
He described Epstein as his “best friend” and admitted there were “toe-curling” emails, but tried to distance himself by claiming the financier was “on the sidelines” of his life.
Emails showed Lord Mandelson told Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
He also reportedly told Epstein, “I’m thinking of you,” the day before the disgraced financier began his prison sentence.
Lord Mandelson claimed that Epstein excluded him from the “sexual aspect” of his life because he was gay.
Asked by Laura Kuenssberg if he wanted to apologize, Lord Mandelson said: “I want to apologize to these women for the system that refused to hear their voices and failed to provide them with the protection they were entitled to expect.”
Lord Mandelson was dramatically sacked from his post as the UK’s ambassador to the US following mounting pressure over revelations of his links to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Sir Keir Starmer, who chose the Labor ambassador as Britain’s representative in Washington, decided to withdraw him after emails showed his colleague had sent supportive messages despite Epstein facing prison for sex offences.
Lord Mandelson said he was “deeply saddened” by the circumstances of his departure from the British embassy in Washington.
“It has been the privilege of my life to be an Ambassador here,” he wrote in his letter to embassy staff, according to the BBC.
