Starmer apologises to Epstein victims for believing Mandelson's 'lies'

Sir Keir Starmer has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for believing Lord Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as the UK's ambassador to the US.

The prime minister began a planned speech on funding to improve local communities by addressing the growing anger over how he had dealt with the issue.

While he acknowledged it had been publicly known for some time that Lord Mandelson knew Epstein, he said: "None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship".

However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the PM's position was "untenable", while the Liberal Democrats called for a confidence vote to see if Labour MPs supported him.

A number of Labour MPs have publicly criticised Lord Mandelson's appointment and the government's initial reluctance to release all the documents related to the decision, with some questioning whether he can survive as PM.

Following a backlash, the government has agreed that sensitive documents which could damage national security or diplomatic relations will by passed to Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee to decide if they can be published, rather than being witheld.

Directly addressing Epstein's victims, Sir Keir said: "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.

"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.

"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.

"That is what the public expects. That is what the victims deserve, and it is what I will do."

At the time Lord Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador in December 2024, it was public knowledge that he had maintained a friendship with Epstein after his conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.

In 2023 the Financial Times reported emails suggesting he stayed at Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2009, while the financier was in jail.

The PM said Lord Mandelson was asked directly about the nature of his relationship with Epstein before he was appointed as ambassador, whether he had stayed at his home after his conviction and whether he had accepted gifts and hospitality from him.

"The information now available makes clear that the answers he gave were lies," he said.

"He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew.

"And when that became clear and it was not true, I sacked him."

The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately.

After his speech, Sir Keir repeatedly sidestepped questions from journalists about his future and whether he should stand down as PM.

However, he said he understood the "anger and frustration amongst Labour MPs" over Lord Mandelson.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell told BBC Radio York Sir Keir's position was "untenable" he had "no choice" but to step down.

Jonathan Hinder, the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, said the PM's decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador was a "catastrophic error of political and moral judgement".

He called on Sir Keir to speak to Labour MPs in person and acknowledge this.

Meanwhile, Paula Barker, who represents Liverpool Wavertree, said the PM "has shown that his judgement is questionable".

"I think he has a very long way to build trust and confidence with public and trust and confidence within our party as a whole," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Lord Mandelson was sacked last September, following the emergence of new emails revealing supportive messages he sent to Epstein after he pleaded guilty to sex offences.

In recent days, more documents released by the US Department of Justice have laid bare the extent of their relationship.

They include emails suggesting Epstein made payments worth thousands of pounds to Lord Mandelson and his partner.

Police are investigating allegations of misconduct in public office, after other emails in the files suggested Lord Mandelson forwarded on market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary during the financial crisis in 2009.

Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment, but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.