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The prime minister has accused Mandelson of deceit, claiming he misrepresented his relationship with Epstein, painting it as a distant acquaintance rather than a friendship. The prime minister expressed regret to the victims, stating, “I am deeply sorry for the injustices you have suffered, for the failures of those in power to protect you, and for believing Mandelson’s falsehoods which led to his appointment. Moreover, I apologize for the distress caused by seeing this painful narrative resurface in public.”
Mandelson, a seasoned figure in politics, was appointed as the ambassador to the US by Starmer in 2024. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end in September when emails were released, revealing his continued association with Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on federal charges in the United States, was accused of sexually abusing numerous young girls. The revelations concerning Mandelson have reignited public discourse around those who turned a blind eye to Epstein’s actions.
The prime minister fired him in September after emails were published showing that he maintained a friendship with Epstein following the late financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.
Epstein died by suicide in a jail cell in 2019, while awaiting trial on US federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing dozens of girls.
Starmer never met Epstein and is not accused of any wrongdoing. But the prime minister is under intense pressure over the appointment after newly released documents revealed fresh details of Mandelson’s close relationship with Epstein.
“I was lied to,” Starmer said.
“It had been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth and the darkness of that relationship.”
British police are investigating Mandelson over potential misconduct in public office. He is not accused of any sexual offenses.
Documents published last week by the US Department of Justice contain new revelations, including papers suggesting Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis.
There are also scores of chatty, jokey messages pointing to a much closer relationship than Mandelson had previously disclosed.
The newly released files also suggest that in 2003 to 2004, Epstein sent three payments totaling $US75,000 ($107,000) to accounts linked to Mandelson or his partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva, now his husband.
Mandelson, 72, has been a major, and contentious, figure in the Labour Party since the 1990s.
He twice had to resign from senior posts in previous administrations because of scandals over money or ethics.
He was chosen as ambassador because his trade expertise, network of contents and mastery of the political “dark arts” were considered assets in dealing with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Critics say Mandelson’s ties with Epstein made his appointment too risky and Starmer was, at best, naive.
“I think the prime minister has shown that his judgment is questionable,” Labour lawmaker Paula Barker said.
“I think he has questions to answer. I think he has a very long way to go to rebuild trust and confidence with the public, and trust and confidence within our party.”
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