04.02.2026 20:00
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed regret for appointing former UK Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson, whose name appeared in documents related to billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while being prosecuted for allegedly running a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls. Furthermore, Starmer confirmed that Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Epstein was identified during the security clearance conducted prior to his appointment.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated during the weekly "Questions to the Prime Minister" session in the UK Parliament that Peter Mandelson, the former UK Ambassador to Washington, repeatedly lied to his team about his connections with Epstein during his tenure as ambassador.
"IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW TODAY, HE WOULD NOT HAVE COME CLOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT" Prime Minister Starmer said, "He repeatedly lied when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador." Expressing regret for appointing Mandelson as ambassador, Starmer stated, "If I knew then what I know today, he would not have come close to the government."
"MANDELSON BETRAYED OUR COUNTRY, OUR PARLIAMENT, AND MY PARTY" The British Prime Minister also stated that it was "extremely infuriating" to learn that Mandelson leaked sensitive information during the response to the 2008 global financial crisis, saying, "Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament, and my party."
Starmer reported that he instructed his team to prepare a bill for the removal of Mandelson's noble title and a more comprehensive bill for the removal of individuals who hold this title but have lost their reputation in the future. The Prime Minister also mentioned that he requested King Charles III of England to remove Mandelson from the Privy Council.
Mandelson HE ADMITTED HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH EPSTEIN WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE INVESTIGATION BEFORE HIS APPOINTMENT On the other hand, Starmer confirmed that Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Epstein was identified in the security investigation conducted before his appointment. Starmer noted that all documents related to Mandelson would be published, but elements that could affect national security and international relations would be excluded.
IT WAS REVEALED THAT HE RECEIVED $75,000 FROM EPSTEIN In correspondence that emerged in the US on September 9, 2025, it was revealed that Mandelson, who started at the UK Embassy in Washington in February 2025, referred to Epstein as "my best friend."
In a birthday message Mandelson sent to Epstein, it was stated, "You would wait for hours for him to come. Most of the time, when you got used to having him around, you would suddenly find yourself alone again. Instead, you would be left alone with some interesting friends you had to entertain."
In documents that emerged last week regarding Mandelson, who was dismissed after the correspondence, it was revealed that he received $75,000 from Epstein, and inappropriate photos of underage girls associated with Mandelson were published. Mandelson stated that he did not remember this money transfer.
Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party last week and also resigned from the House of Lords yesterday. The Metropolitan Police of London announced that they had launched an investigation into former minister, former ambassador, and Lord Peter Mandelson, whose name appeared in the Epstein documents.