UK prime minister Keir Starmer apologises to Epstein victims for appointing Mandelson

0 February 5, 2026 23:21

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched a fierce attack on his former US ambassador Peter Mandelson on Thursday (Feb 5), seeking to assuage anger from across British politics, saying he was sorry he had believed his "lies" before appointing him.

Starmer is under huge pressure, including from lawmakers in his own Labour Party, over the decision to make Mandelson Britain’s envoy to Washington in December 2024, when his ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were already known.

Files released by the US Justice Department last week include emails highlighting just how close that relationship was, and also suggested Mandelson had leaked government documents to Epstein, and that Epstein had recorded payments to Mandelson or his then-partner, now husband. More here: https://cna.asia/4aeY7bJ

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