UK PM Apologises to Epstein Survivors as Mandelson Scandal Deepens, Party Dissent Grows

Facing intensifying pressure from within his own party, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apologised directly to the victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and acknowledged serious errors in his decision to appoint senior Labour figure Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.

The apology follows revelations from newly released US Justice Department documents, which allege that Mandelson provided Epstein with market-sensitive information of clear financial value in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. The disclosures have triggered a political storm in Westminster and raised uncomfortable questions about judgment, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of government.

Speaking during a visit to Hastings, Starmer said he deeply regretted relying on Mandelson’s assurances regarding his past association with Epstein. “None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship,” the prime minister said, conceding that he had accepted explanations that later proved to be incomplete or misleading.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologizes to victims of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for “believing Mandelson’s assurances and appointing him,” a clip of the statement circulating widely on social media as political scrutiny intensified.

Starmer Issues Direct Apology to Epstein Survivors

In unusually personal remarks, Starmer acknowledged the prolonged suffering endured by Epstein’s victims, noting that many had lived through years of trauma while powerful individuals escaped accountability. He accepted responsibility for Mandelson’s appointment and for trusting reassurances that, in hindsight, should have been more rigorously examined.

“This is what I want to say clearly,” Starmer stated. “I am sorry for what happened to you, for the failure of so many powerful people, for believing Mandelson’s explanations and appointing him, and for the fact that you are still forced to see this painful story play out publicly.”

The prime minister’s intervention came after several days of escalating criticism over how his government handled concerns about Mandelson’s ties to Epstein prior to the ambassadorial appointment. A turbulent session in Parliament saw the government narrowly avoid defeat in the House of Commons, with Labour MPs privately warning that Starmer’s leadership itself could come under threat.

Tensions sharpened further after Labour backbenchers objected to the government’s initial proposal to allow civil servants to oversee the release of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment. Critics argued that the process lacked independence and transparency.

In response to growing unrest and threats of rebellion, Starmer agreed to allow a parliamentary committee to oversee the disclosure process. He later said police advice had delayed the release of certain materials due to an ongoing investigation into Mandelson’s correspondence.

Despite these concessions, doubts have persisted. Several MPs have openly questioned the prime minister’s judgment, with some privately calling for the resignation of senior advisers. Others have raised concerns about whether Starmer can steady the party without inflicting lasting political damage.

Pressure Mounts from Allies and the Opposition

Opposition leaders were quick to capitalise on the crisis. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch both urged Parliament to consider confidence measures, arguing that the episode exposed serious weaknesses in leadership oversight.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the controversy a “major political scandal,” while senior Labour figures warned of long-term reputational harm if the issue was not handled decisively and transparently.

At the same time, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell and other senior figures have urged colleagues to focus on institutional lessons rather than internal division, cautioning against allowing the controversy to fracture the party further.

A pivotal moment came during Prime Minister’s Questions, when Starmer confirmed that he had been aware of Mandelson’s prior acquaintance with Epstein before approving the appointment—an admission that intensified scrutiny of his decision-making.

What Do the Newly Released Records Reveal?

According to emails released by the US Justice Department last week, Epstein may have documented payments to Mandelson or to Mandelson’s then-partner, now his husband. The correspondence also suggests that Mandelson may have provided Epstein with access to confidential or sensitive government material.

The records indicate that Mandelson warned Epstein in advance about a planned €500 billion European Union bailout designed to stabilise the euro during the financial crisis. The two men also reportedly discussed the UK government’s proposal to impose a one-off tax on bankers’ bonuses in December 2009.

Among the newly released Epstein-linked files is a photograph showing Epstein standing beside a woman in a bathrobe while wearing only a shirt and underwear—an image that has further fuelled public outrage and media attention.

Starmer appointed Mandelson in late 2024, arguing at the time that his experience as a senior Labour figure and former EU trade commissioner made him well suited to manage relations with Washington during Donald Trump’s presidency. However, seven months later, Mandelson was dismissed after documents revealed he had continued to maintain contact with Epstein even after the financier’s 2008 conviction.

As the fallout continues, the controversy has become a defining early test of Starmer’s leadership—one that blends questions of moral responsibility, political judgment, and the enduring consequences of elite networks left unchecked.