06.02.2026 06:40
Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially apologized to the victims by acknowledging that he made a mistake in the appointment of Peter Mandelson in the context of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and he stated that the government would follow the process to the end to uncover the truth.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he apologized to the victims of Epstein after Peter Mandelson was appointed as a diplomat to the US due to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and stated that the government would continue its efforts to uncover the truth. Starmer's words ignited both political backlash and internal government debate in the foreign press.
"I AM SORRY FOR WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO YOU"
In a speech in Hastings, Starmer directly addressed the victims, saying, "I am sorry for what has been done to you, I am sorry for the failure of many in power to support you, I am sorry for believing Mandelson's lies and appointing him." The Prime Minister also emphasized that justice should be equal for everyone, stating, "We will chase the truth. We will protect the integrity of public life and we will fight until accountability is achieved."
MANDELSON WAS APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO WASHINGTON
This apology came after the political turmoil that arose when the depth of Mandelson's relationships with Jeffrey Epstein became apparent. Mandelson is known as one of the prominent figures of former Prime Minister Tony Blair's era and was appointed as the UK's Ambassador to Washington in 2025. However, published emails and other documents revealed that Mandelson had a long-term relationship and correspondence with Epstein; these relationships seriously shook Starmer's administration and led to the diplomat's dismissal.
SCANDAL IS GROWING
According to reports in the foreign press, the scandal has taken on both political and national security dimensions. It was claimed that Mandelson's emails contained supportive messages even after Epstein was imprisoned, and that some contacts included sensitive information about the country he is a citizen of. Following these developments, Mandelson's security investigation and the government's vetting process were once again scrutinized.
STARMER IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION
Starmer's apology received mixed reactions from his own party. While some MPs defended Starmer's administration, critics accused the Premier of not acting early enough and exacerbating the political damage of the scandal. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the apology as "insufficient and unconvincing," while opposition parties demanded more transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Starmer's government promised to release some of the documents surrounding the scandal to the public but stated that some files could not be published immediately for security reasons. This situation indicates that the investigation will remain at the top of the political agenda in the coming days.