British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued an apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US.
On Thursday, Starmer said he was sorry for having believed Mandelson’s “lies” about the nature of his friendship with Epstein, and for appointing him to the prestigious position.
Starmer is facing pressure from the opposition and MPs within his own party over the decision to appoint Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US in December 2024. Mandelson’s connection to the late sex offender Epstein was already known at the time.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said Starmer’s position as prime minister was “clearly untenable”.
“None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship,” Starmer said in his apology.
“I want to say this to the victims: I am sorry.
“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.”
Mandelson had his ambassadorship revoked in September following the release of some of the Epstein files that showed how close he was to the convicted sex offender.
He resigned from the Labour Party on Monday after more files were released. The latest documents show Mandelson was continually in touch with Epstein on topics including politics and business.
Newly released files also suggest that when he was a governemnt minister, Mandelson may have sent Epstein confidential government documents.
He is now the subject of a police investigation over this alleged misconduct.
Starmer said on Thursday that Mandelson had lied to secure his ambassador role.
While Starmer said he did not know the “depth” and “darkness” of the relationship between the two men, he confirmed that he was aware ties between them had endured after Epstein’s conviction in 2008 for soliciting a minor.
“He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew, and when it became clear that was not true, I sacked him.”
Epstein died by suicide in jail cell in 2019. He awaiting trial on federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing dozens of girls.