SIR Keir Starmer sparked disbelief for believing Lord Mandelson “barely knew” Jeffrey Epstein despite overwhelming evidence.
The PM poured petrol on his leadership crisis by trying to claim he was not aware the disgraced Labour peer was pals with the paedophile.
Mandelson was appointed British Ambassador to the USA in December 2024 – before taking up the position early in 2025Credit: Reuters
This photo of Peter Mandelson shopping with Jeffrey Epstein on December 27, 2005, in St. Barts was published in 2019
Peter Mandelson pictured with Jeffrey Epstein on his 54th birthday, with the image published in 2022
He had tried to defuse the scandal with a grovelling apology to the victims of the billionaire sex offender – saying he was sorry to have hired Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
The PM also tried to shift blame onto the security services for failing to properly uncover the “depth and darkness” of their friendship.
Mandelson was appointed British Ambassador to the in 2024 – before taking up the position early in 2025.
But photos published as early as 2019 showed Mandelson and Epstein together on the luxury island of St Barts.
And another set of photos – published by the Sun in January 2022 – showed Lord Mandelson and Epstein at the paedo’s flat in celebrating a birthday.
In a chaotic few days in Westminster…
- Starmer issued a for hiring Peter Mandelson
- But he said he was not aware of the “depth and the darkness” of his relationship with Epstein
- The PM even blamed the security services for not sufficiently vetting the Labour peer
- Many of Keir’s MPs are out for blood and privately said his leadership was in the balance
- Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of “obfuscation”
- Reform leader Nigel Farage dubbed the Mandelson controversy the “biggest scandal” in British politics for over one hundred years
- Mandelson is facing a police probe into the alleged leaking of sensitive government information to Epstein
- And a major revolt – led by would-be leadership contender Angela Rayner – saw him
He now faces tough questions over why he did not know the extent of the pair’s interactions.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of “obfuscation” and said the PM “will do everything he can to stay in office and he is going to use every trick in the book – do not buy it”.
Reform leader Nigel Farage dubbed the Mandelson controversy the “” in British politics for over one hundred years.
Speaking this morning, Keir said the ex-US Ambassador was “asked directly” about the nature of his ties with Epstein.
He said: “The information now available makes clear that the answers he gave were lies. He portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew.
“And when that became clear and it was not true, I sacked him. Such deceit is incompatible with public service.”
The PM was today desperately trying to contain his raging leadership crisis.
He 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. I’m 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.”
He appeared to blame MI5 and MI6 for failing to vet Lord Mandelson properly before giving him clearance to take up the Washington posting.
Keir told The Sun: “I think we need to look at the security vetting because, it now transpires that what was being said was not true and had I known then what I know now, I’d never have appointed him, in the first place”.
Many MPs have been gunning for Sir Keir and privately said was in the balance.
He was hit with a major revolt — led by would-be leadership contender — for attempting to limit what papers could be released about his appointment of
Starmer tries to ride out Mandelson storm - but it's unclear that'll wash
By , Deputy Political Editor
The situation is grave for Sir Keir Starmer but he is attempting to fight on.
Like a boxer in the eighth round taking blow after blow, he knows the fatal strike could come any moment.
The real damage has been done over the past 18 months.
U-turn after u-turn on a range on issues luke winter fuel payments, business rates and the family farms tax to name but a few.
But it was the moment yesterday when he told the House of Commons he KNEW Lord Mandelson had remained in contact with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction.
That is difficult to come back from.
But for now, we don’t know what comes next, who comes next and when the brutal end comes.
Downing Street will bunker down and try and ride it out. Flash points coming up include the Gorton and Denton by-election and the May local elections.
But without an alternative candidate for the leadership ready to push Starmer over the edge, he will remain in post.
So we can expect lots of Labour MPs complain about his leadership in public and in private.
But unless someone is willing to put this Premiership out of its misery, he is staying put – for the time being, at least
On one of his worst days in office, Sir Keir had been accused of trying to cover up key sections on national security grounds.
Amid the high drama at Westminster, No10 was forced into its
The Mandelson Papers will now be assessed by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee – rather than the PM’s top civil servant, as Sir Keir had planned.
In a further blow, the release of other papers the PM did want public was blocked by over fears they would prejudice their misconduct in public office .
The row over Sir Keir’s decision to hire Mandelson last year blew up following the release of damning new evidence in the US.
Documents appear to show the former Cabinet Minister leaking confidential information to Epstein.
With tensions running high in the Commons, Sir Keir was forced to admit for the first time that he did know the pair stayed friends after the tycoon’s conviction.
It came in response to a killer question from Tory leader .
In a fiery exchange, she asked: “Can the Prime Minister tell us did the official security vetting he received mention Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with the paedophile ?”
He confessed: “Yes it did. As a result, various questions were put to him.”
Sir Keir Starmer apologised today for hiring Lord Mandelson
Lord Mandelson was firm friends with Jeffrey Epstein
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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