British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a public apology on Thursday for his 2025 appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S., following revelations about Mandelson's ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The controversy has sparked a political crisis in Westminster, with opposition leaders demanding accountability.
Speaking in Hastings, Starmer acknowledged underestimating the gravity of Mandelson's association with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. "I am sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies," Starmer stated, addressing victims directly. "You've seen accountability delayed and denied too often."
The apology comes as British police confirmed a criminal investigation into Mandelson's alleged misconduct during his tenure as ambassador, including potential leaks of market-sensitive information. U.S. authorities recently unsealed documents renewing scrutiny of Epstein's global network.
Mandelson, a veteran Labour Party strategist who served under former PMs Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, was dismissed in late 2025 after just seven months in Washington. Analysts suggest the scandal could further erode Starmer's already low approval ratings ahead of key local elections this spring.
