UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Apologises to Epstein Survivors Over Mandelson’s Ambassador Appointment
Starmer expresses remorse after appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador despite misinformation about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein amid deepening political fallout
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a formal apology to survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday, expressing regret for appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington despite being misled about the full extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein.
In a speech delivered in southern England, Starmer acknowledged that Mandelson had “portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew” when asked about their connection before his diplomatic appointment, saying that he had been lied to and had believed those assurances.
Starmer said directly to Epstein’s victims that he was “sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you’re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.” The apology comes amid intense scrutiny of the government’s vetting processes and the political consequences of the appointment, which has shaken confidence in Starmer’s judgement.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician with a long career in British public life, was dismissed from the ambassadorial post in September after earlier revelations about his ties to Epstein, who died in a U.S. jail in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges.
Newly released documents from the United States Department of Justice have since provided further evidence of a closer and longer-standing relationship between Mandelson and Epstein than previously disclosed, including a series of emails and financial transactions.
British police are investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office, though he is not accused of sexual offences.
The scandal has triggered significant political pressure in Westminster, with opposition parties and some members of Starmer’s own party calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Starmer has pledged cooperation with parliamentary oversight and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding integrity in public life.
He insists the focus must remain on delivering for the British people, even as the episode has dominated headlines and intensified debate about standards in public appointments.
In a speech delivered in southern England, Starmer acknowledged that Mandelson had “portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew” when asked about their connection before his diplomatic appointment, saying that he had been lied to and had believed those assurances.
Starmer said directly to Epstein’s victims that he was “sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you’re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.” The apology comes amid intense scrutiny of the government’s vetting processes and the political consequences of the appointment, which has shaken confidence in Starmer’s judgement.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician with a long career in British public life, was dismissed from the ambassadorial post in September after earlier revelations about his ties to Epstein, who died in a U.S. jail in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges.
Newly released documents from the United States Department of Justice have since provided further evidence of a closer and longer-standing relationship between Mandelson and Epstein than previously disclosed, including a series of emails and financial transactions.
British police are investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office, though he is not accused of sexual offences.
The scandal has triggered significant political pressure in Westminster, with opposition parties and some members of Starmer’s own party calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Starmer has pledged cooperation with parliamentary oversight and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding integrity in public life.
He insists the focus must remain on delivering for the British people, even as the episode has dominated headlines and intensified debate about standards in public appointments.
