Starmer-Mandelson latest: I’m sorry for appointing US ambassador and believing his Epstein lies, PM says

Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Asked whether he should resign as some MPs want, Sir Keir said he “regretted” appointing Mandelson but repeated that he had been “lied to”.

He added that he, like his critics, was “angry and frustrated.”

“But we must continue to focus on what we were elected to do, which is to change this country for the better,” he told reporters after his speech in Hastings.

Asked what he said to MPs angry that the Prime Minister had knowledge of Mandelson’s links to Epstein when he appointed him as US ambassador, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I understand their anger and frustration. I am as angry and frustrated as they are.”

“They are as angry as I am about her relationship with Epstein.”

The Prime Minister apologized once again for believing Mandelson.

Our political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:

Sir Keir Starmer told Peter Mandelson ahead of yesterday’s PMQ that he wanted to release files on his appointment but police told him not to.

The Prime Minister is under pressure to release documents detailing the vetting process Mandelson underwent before being appointed US ambassador.

Sir Keir claimed Mandelson lied to him and his team throughout the process.

“I want to be able to release these documents as quickly as possible,” he said. “Actually, I wanted to publish these yesterday and address the prime minister’s questions.”

He added: “However, police have said that releasing some information now could risk damaging the future investigation and legal process.

“No matter how frustrating my personal point of view, no matter how politically attractive, no matter how popular, I will not take any action that would jeopardize justice for victims.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is sorry to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for believing Lord Peter Mandelson’s lies and appointing him as Britain’s ambassador to the US.

He said: “Epstein victims lived with trauma that most of us can barely comprehend, and they had to relive it over and over again.”

He said they’ve seen accountability “delayed and often denied.”

“I want to say this. 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 in public once again.

“But I also want to say this: In this country, we will not look away, we will not shrug our shoulders and we will not allow the powerful to treat justice as optional. We will pursue the truth. We will protect the integrity of public life and we will do everything in our power and in the interests of justice to ensure accountability.

“That’s what the public expects. That’s what the victims deserve, and that’s what I will do.”

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from East Sussex, where Sir Keir Starmer is addressing the nation:

After directly addressing the Mandelson controversy, the prime minister moved on to discuss the politics of Reformation England and lashed out at politics shaped by grievance and division.

Trying to inject some energy into the hall, the Prime Minister raised his voice and said: “As long as there is breath in my body, I will always fight against this policy.”

But there’s something falling flat about his comments, which came just minutes after he had to defend his own record about appointing someone who was a friend of Jeffrey Epstein.

Although it was greeted with applause, it did not sound like the rallying cry Starmer’s speechwriter would have wanted it to be.

Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:

Speaking in Hastings, the Prime Minister said about Mandelson: “He was asked whether he stayed at Epstein’s after his conviction… He was asked whether he accepted gifts and entertainment and whether he was fully transparent about the relationship.”

He added: “The information currently available makes it clear that his answers were lies.”

Our political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has apologized to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for appointing Peter Mandelson despite his links to the pedophile.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the prime minister said these victims were “delayed and often denied accountability”.

“I want to tell them, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry for what was done to you. I’m sorry that so many people with power let you down.”

“I’m sorry that I believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him. And even now, I’m sorry that you have to watch this story unfold publicly once again.”

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from East Sussex, where the prime minister is fighting for his political survival:

Sir Keir Starmer is desperately trying to position himself on the side of the public amid growing anger over revelations about Mandelson’s behavior.

“I understand the strength of the public’s feelings, I share the anger,” he said at a news conference Thursday morning.

As a rift widens between him and Labor MPs, who increasingly feel that the Prime Minister is not standing up for civility and honesty in the face of Mandelson’s behaviour, the Prime Minister is trying to win back public support and convince his party that he is on the right side of this debate.