UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the United States, despite the diplomat’s close ties to the late sex offender.
In a speech addressing his apology to Epstein victims, Starmer stated, “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.”
The UK Prime Minister had appointed Mandelson to be Ambassador to the US in December 2024.
“I am sorry. Sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointing him.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer iterated that he was wrong to appoint Mandelson, that he “regrets” the decision, and that Mandelson “lied” throughout the vetting process. He noted that he had “no reason at the time to know they were lies” but found out subsequently.
Starmer fired Mandelson last September after emails were published showing that he maintained a friendship with Epstein following the late American financier’s 2008 US conviction for sex offences involving minors.
However, the Prime Minister now faces fresh pressure over the appointment after the US Justice Department last week released files revealing new details of Mandelson’s close relationship with Epstein.
The files also suggested Mandelson had leaked government documents to Epstein, and that Epstein had recorded payments to Mandelson or his then-partner, now his husband.
Mandelson, who is now under police investigation for alleged misconduct in office, said he does not recall having received payments and has not commented publicly on allegations he leaked documents. He has not responded to messages from media outlets seeking comment.
In his speech, Starmer said that Mandelson underwent “security vetting carried out independently by security services”, saying that the checks gave the former Minister “clearance” to take up the ambassadorial role.
Starmer had previously said that he would release the vetting advice he was given when he selected Mandelson for the Washington role. However, he said today that he also needed to abide by a police request not to release anything that could prejudice an investigation.
Also, Starmer stated that he shares the “frustration and anger” of his MPs, saying that the vast majority of people coming into public life do so to serve their communities. When someone goes against this, people feel angry because it “undermines what they stand for… the politics they believe in”, he adds.
Starmer said that his government is working to change the country “for the better”, and that he intends to “go on doing that vital work.”
Starmer’s Position Under Threat
Starmer’s opponents and even those in his own party have said the revelations about Mandelson posed major questions about his judgement.
With polls suggesting Starmer is already hugely unpopular with the British public, some in his own party say his position is under threat.
Starmer would fight back if his party decided to remove him as leader.Starmer replies saying he is changing the country for the better. He points to inflation coming down, interest rate cuts and his party’s work on child poverty.
“Am I frustrated that the focus is not on that and on other things because of the misbehaviour and deceit of other people? Of course I am” he says,
adding that he will remain focused on government work that he hopes will “affect millions of lives”.
Badenoch says she believes Starmer will have to be “dragged out of Number 10” as she invites Labour MPs to bring forward a confidence vote in the prime minister in the House of Commons.
“If they want the change they know the country needs, come and speak to my whips and let’s talk seriously about a vote of no confidence to force the moment.”
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch says Starmer’s remarks on Thursday morning were “shameful” and that he “should be apologising for ignoring the security advice rather than apologising for believing Mandelson.”
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