Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a frank apology to victims of Jeffrey Epstein, admitting he believed 'lies' told by former Labour minister Lord Mandelson when appointing him as US ambassador. Speaking in Hastings, Starmer said he was 'angry and frustrated' and understood MPs' concerns over the controversy.
Starmer expressed regret for appointing Mandelson given his relationship with the convicted child sex offender, saying the peer had repeatedly deceived him. 'I am sorry – sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him,' the prime minister stated.
The apology follows a turbulent day in the Commons, where Labour MPs forced another government U-turn over the release of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment. Starmer had wanted the Cabinet Secretary to oversee publication but agreed to a parliamentary committee after a backlash from his own party.
Several Labour MPs have called for the sacking of Starmer’s senior adviser Morgan McSweeney or the prime minister’s resignation. One MP described the situation as 'like Chris Pincher on steroids,' while a former minister said it was 'time for a fresh start.'
Starmer insisted his anger was directed at Mandelson, not his party, and noted that recent documents showed Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein while a minister. Despite the scandal, Starmer sought to refocus on his 'Pride in Place' scheme, a £5bn investment programme for deprived neighbourhoods, warning that without such investment communities risk being exploited by the far right.
