UK Prime Minister Issues Apology to Epstein Victims Over Peter Mandelson’s Ambassadorial Appointment

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an apology on Thursday to those affected by Jeffrey Epstein, following the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington. This decision has faced backlash due to Mandelson’s links to the disgraced financier.

Starmer expressed that Mandelson misrepresented his relationship with Epstein, claiming he “barely knew” him. In his address, Starmer stated, “I regret… having trusted Mandelson’s falsehoods and making that appointment.”

In September, Starmer dismissed Mandelson after emails surfaced revealing his continued association with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes involving a minor. Epstein, who was facing federal charges in the U.S. for allegedly abusing numerous girls, died by suicide in jail in 2019.

Though Starmer had no direct contact with Epstein and is not implicated in any misconduct, he is facing significant scrutiny over Mandelson’s appointment. Recently uncovered documents have shed light on the depth of Mandelson’s ties with Epstein.

“I was deceived,” Starmer remarked.

“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,” he added.

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 U.S. 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 $75,000 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, naïve.

“I think the prime minister has shown that his judgement 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.”