Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a profound apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, expressing deep regret for having believed Lord Peter Mandelson's falsehoods and appointing him as Britain's ambassador to Washington. The Labour leader addressed the escalating scandal during a public event in East Sussex on Thursday, facing mounting pressure from within his own party.
A Grave Admission of Misjudgement
Sir Keir acknowledged that while it was publicly known Mandelson had some acquaintance with Epstein, the full extent of their connection remained concealed. "It has been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth of the darkness of that relationship," the Prime Minister stated solemnly. This admission comes amid growing fury from Labour MPs who have questioned the wisdom of awarding such a prestigious diplomatic role to the peer.
Direct Questioning and Deceit Uncovered
The Prime Minister revealed that Lord Mandelson had been "asked directly" about the precise nature of his relationship with the convicted sex offender. Specific inquiries were made regarding whether he had stayed with Epstein after his conviction and whether he had accepted any gifts from the disgraced financier. "The information now available makes clear that the answers he gave were lies," Sir Keir declared. "He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew. And when that became clear and it was not true, I sacked him."
Emphasising the seriousness of the deception, the Prime Minister added, "Such deceit is incompatible with public service." This decisive action to remove Mandelson from his ambassadorial position underscores the government's stance on integrity within public office.
An Apology to Epstein's Victims
Turning his attention to those most affected, Sir Keir offered a heartfelt apology to Epstein's victims. "The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that most of us can barely comprehend, and they've had to relive it again and again," he said. "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."
A Commitment to Justice and Accountability
Beyond the apology, the Prime Minister outlined a firm commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of public life. "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," he asserted. "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."
Sir Keir concluded by reinforcing this pledge, stating, "That is what the public expects. That is what the victims deserve, and it is what I will do." This statement aims to reassure both the public and Epstein's victims that the government is taking the matter with the utmost seriousness and is dedicated to transparent and just proceedings.
