Starmer breaks his silence on Mandelson files with grovelling apology | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer has broken his silence over the latest Lord Peter Mandelson revelations. The Prime Minister said that “it was me that made the mistake” in appointing him as US ambassador “and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein”.
He was speaking during a visit to Northern Ireland after the first tranche of papers relating to the former Labour grandee’s appointment as US ambassador were released by the Government yesterday.
In his first public appearance since the publication of the documents, Sir Keir said: “The release of the information shows what was known. That led to further questions being asked.
“Unfortunately, because of the Metropolitan Police investigation, we can’t release that information yet.
“But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it was me that made a mistake, and it’s me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein, and I do that.”
The documents showed that Sir Keir was warned of a “general reputational risk” before handing the peer the plum Washington role amid his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
It has also emerged that Lord Mandelson was handed a ยฃ75,000 severance payout after being sacked nine months after being appointed.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I am astonished that the Prime Minister can actually look himself in the mirror right now.
“It is very clear that he told lie after lie after lie about the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
“He wanted to make this all about Peter Mandelson. This is about his judgments. He has been dishonest with Parliament and with the country.
“And Labour MPs, in good conscience, should be looking at whether or not this man should be leading our country.”
Lord Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information on to the billionaire paedophile during his time as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s government.
He was subsequently bailed, but later released from his bail conditions, although he remains under investigation.
