Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he regrets appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, accusing him of lying about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he regretted appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador and accused the disgraced politician of repeatedly lying about his close ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer told parliament that Mandelson had “betrayed our country” and was responsible for “a litany of deceit” during a grilling over his judgement in making the appointment.
The prime minister said he did not know the full extent of Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein during the vetting process last year.
He accused the former minister and EU trade commissioner of failing to disclose the truth “time and time again” when questioned by his team.
“I regret appointing him,” Starmer told MPs. “If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.”
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed it has launched a criminal investigation into the 72-year-old Mandelson for misconduct in public office.
The probe follows new allegations that Mandelson passed confidential information to Epstein nearly two decades ago.
UK police are examining claims emerging from email exchanges that revealed their warm relations, financial dealings and private photos.
The scandal resurfaced after the US Justice Department released documents showing Mandelson forwarded a 2009 economic briefing to Epstein intended for then-PM Gordon Brown.
Other emails showed Epstein asking Mandelson in 2010 about the European Union’s bailout of Greece.
The documents also indicated Epstein transferred a total of $75,000 in three payments to accounts linked to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.
Mandelson has told the BBC he had no memory of the money transfers and did not know if the documents were authentic.
Starmer sacked Mandelson as ambassador in September after only seven months, following an earlier release of Epstein files.
Mandelson resigned from the unelected House of Lords on Tuesday after the latest document release sparked renewed furore.
The main Conservative opposition is using its parliamentary time to try to force the release of all papers related to Mandelson’s appointment.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch insisted Starmer did know about Mandelson’s Epstein ties, stating “it was on Google”.
Starmer vowed to disclose the documents, barring any elements that might harm national security and international relations.
He also noted his team was drafting legislation “to strip Mandelson of his title” while King Charles III was set to remove him from the list of privy counsellors.
The EU is investigating whether Mandelson breached any rules during his time as trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008.
