British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he was sorry for appointing Peter Mandelson as the United States ambassador after learning that Mandelson had misrepresented the nature of his relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Keir Starmer to Epstein victims:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 5, 2026
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. pic.twitter.com/SFZh2wYBpu
Starmer made the remarks during a speech to local leaders and business representatives in East Sussex.
Starmer said he had relied on assurances given during the appointment process that Mandelson’s contact with Epstein was limited. He said those assurances later proved inaccurate after additional emails became public in September. “I regret making the decision to have appointed him in the first place,” Starmer said, adding that he would not have approved the appointment had he known what later emerged.
🚨 WATCH: Keir Starmer repeats that Peter Mandelson "lied" in response to questions put to him about his relationship with Epstein
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) February 5, 2026
"I had no reason at that stage to think it was anything other than the truth, and therefore proceeded" pic.twitter.com/OtfCFAZV94
Starmer said questions were raised during the vetting process about the extent of Mandelson’s ties to Epstein, including whether Mandelson had stayed at Epstein’s properties or received gifts or hospitality. He said the answers he received were “intentionally intended to create the impression that Mandelson barely knew Epstein,” and that he had no reason at the time to believe the information was untrue.
Mandelson was dismissed from his role as ambassador in September, seven months after being appointed, after documents showed he had remained in contact with Epstein longer than previously acknowledged, according to Reuters. Mandelson later resigned from the Labour Party following new disclosures about his links to Epstein.
It's being reported that Mandelson wasn't just friends with Epstein after his arrest, but actually coached him and gave him advice.
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 10, 2025
Shocking and disgusting. He's got to go. pic.twitter.com/c9Kl3Wfzil
British police this week launched an investigation into Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office, following claims that he leaked market-sensitive information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis, according to the Metropolitan Police and a Reuters report. Starmer’s government said it had referred material to the police and would cooperate with the investigation.
Reuters reported that emails released in U.S. court proceedings suggested Mandelson had shared confidential government documents with Epstein and provided advance notice of policy decisions. Mandelson has said through a spokesperson that he had no recollection of receiving financial payments from Epstein.
