Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, admitting he was wrong to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States and acknowledging that he “believed lies” told during the vetting process. The apology, delivered at the start of a major policy speech, failed to calm the storm and instead intensified scrutiny over his judgment and leadership.
Claims of Deception in the Vetting Process
Starmer said Mandelson deliberately misled officials about the nature and depth of his relationship with Epstein, creating the impression that he “barely knew” the disgraced financier. While accepting responsibility for the appointment, the prime minister insisted he had no reason at the time to doubt Mandelson’s assurances and said he now regrets the decision.
Labour Party Divisions Come Into the Open
The scandal has exposed serious divisions within the Labour Party. Several Labour MPs have publicly questioned Starmer’s ability to continue as leader, with some describing his position as “untenable” and others calling his resignation “inevitable”. Critics argue that Mandelson’s links to Epstein were already known publicly and should have ruled him out of such a sensitive role.
Opposition Seizes the Moment
According to BBC News Opposition leaders have seized on the crisis. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it was “a question of when, not if” Starmer leaves office, accusing Downing Street of trying to shift all blame onto Mandelson. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for a confidence vote among Labour MPs, warning the controversy is distracting the government from urgent national priorities.
Pressure Mounts on Starmer’s Inner Circle
Attention has also turned to Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who is widely believed to have supported Mandelson’s appointment. Despite calls from backbenchers for his dismissal, Downing Street has insisted the prime minister has “full confidence” in him, a position that has further fuelled internal anger.
Questions Over What Was Known and When
Court filings and media reports dating back to 2023 referenced a close relationship between Mandelson and Epstein, raising doubts over claims that the full extent of their association only emerged recently. Critics argue this undermines the government’s defence that key details were unknown at the time of Mandelson’s appointment.
A Prime Minister Fighting for Survival
BBC political editor Chris Mason described the situation as a prime minister “scrapping for his future with his back against the wall”. Attempts by Starmer to refocus attention on policy announcements, including new community funding, have been overwhelmed by the scale of the controversy.
An Uncertain Road Ahead
While Starmer insists he remains focused on governing and delivering change, growing unrest within Labour and sustained pressure from the opposition suggest his future is far from secure. Whether his apology marks the beginning of recovery or the start of his downfall now appears to rest in the hands of his own MPs.
