Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an apology to the victims of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US.
The move comes amid fresh revelations about Mandelson’s deep connections to Epstein, putting Starmer’s judgement under the microscope and sparking calls for accountability from within his own Labour party.
Speaking at an event on Thursday (5 February), Starmer said he fell for what he called Mandelson’s deceptions about the extent of his Epstein links.
“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 apology: Starmer’s direct words to Epstein victims
“The information now available makes clear that the answers he gave were lies,” Starmer said.
“He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew. And when that became clear and it was not true, I sacked him. Such deceit is incompatible with public service.”
Starmer expressed profound regret for the pain caused by powerful figures’ failures – including his own.
“I want to say this: 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 appointed him, and sorry that even now you’re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.
“But I also want to say this: in this country, we will not look away, we will not shrug our shoulders, and we will not allow the powerful to treat justice as optional.
“We will pursue the truth. We will uphold the integrity of public life, and we will do everything within our power and in the interests of justice to ensure accountability is delivered.
“That is what the public expects. That is what the victims deserve, and it is what I will do.”
Mandelson’s Epstein ties: What the new documents reveal
Peter Mandelson, a Labour heavyweight who’s no stranger to controversy, was tapped for the high-profile Washington role in 2024, leveraging his extensive networks and political savvy to navigate relations with the Trump administration. But the honeymoon was short-lived. Starmer sacked him in September 2025 after leaked emails exposed ongoing contact post-conviction.
The latest bombshell files, released last week, go further:
- Shared sensitive info: Mandelson allegedly passed government details to Epstein amid the 2008 financial crash.
- Casual chats: Dozens of light-hearted messages suggest a buddy-level bond, far from the “barely knew” claim.
- Financial links: Epstein wired $75,000 in three payments between 2003 and 2004 to accounts tied to Mandelson or his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
Mandelson, now 72, faces a UK police probe for possible misconduct in public office – though no sexual offence allegations have been made against him. Epstein, meanwhile, took his own life in 2019 while facing federal charges for abusing dozens of girls.
Political backlash: Starmer’s leadership on the line?
While Starmer himself never crossed paths with Epstein and faces no personal accusations, the scandal has ignited fierce criticism. Opposition MPs and even Labour backbenchers are questioning his vetting process and overall decision-making.
Labour MP Paula Barker didn’t mince words: “I think the prime minister has shown that his judgment is questionable. 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.”
Critics argue Mandelson’s history of scandals – including two resignations from past Labour governments over ethics and finance issues – should have been a red flag. Was Starmer naive, or did he prioritise Mandelson’s trade expertise over the risks? As the investigation unfolds, this could dent Labour’s credibility and Starmer’s grip on No.10.
With Mandelson out, the ambassador post remains a hot potato, especially amid ongoing UK-US trade talks. Starmer’s apology aims to draw a line under the affair, but with police digging deeper and public scrutiny intensifying, the fallout might linger.
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