By Euronews
Published on •Updated
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologised Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington despite his connections to the disgraced financier.
In a speech Thursday, Starmer said Mandelson had “portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew.”
“I am sorry … for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him,” the UK premier stated.
Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September after emails were published showing he maintained a friendship with Epstein following the late financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offences involving a minor.
Epstein died by suicide in a jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on US federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing dozens of girls.
Starmer never met Epstein and is not accused of any wrongdoing. However, the British prime minister faces intense pressure over the appointment after newly released documents revealed details of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein.
“I was lied to,” Starmer said. “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.”
British police are investigating Mandelson over potential misconduct in public office. He is not accused of any sexual offences.
Mandelson too risky, Starmer naïve
Documents published last week by the US Department of Justice contain revelations including papers suggesting Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis.
The files also contain messages pointing to a closer relationship than Mandelson had previously disclosed.
The newly released files also suggest that in 2003 to 2004, Epstein sent three payments totalling $75,000 (€63,500) 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 resigned from senior posts in previous administrations due to scandals involving money or ethics.
He was chosen as ambassador because his trade expertise, network of contacts and mastery of political tactics were considered assets in dealing with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Critics said Mandelson’s ties with Epstein made his appointment too risky and Starmer was 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.”
Additional sources • AP