Lord Peter Mandelson has finally expressed personal regret to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for maintaining a relationship with the infamous sex offender. This apology follows criticism aimed at him after emails between Mandelson and Epstein were revealed in September, leading to his dismissal as the former US Ambassador.
In a recent interview, the Labour peer was questioned about apologizing to the victims for associating with the predatory billionaire. Mandelson’s apology was limited to the women, citing a flawed system that failed to protect their rights to be heard.
Facing a backlash, Mandelson issued a statement to BBC Newsnight, acknowledging his ignorance of Epstein’s crimes and expressing regret for continuing their association post-conviction. He emphasized that he was unaware of Epstein’s actions and apologized unequivocally to the victims for believing him over their accounts.
Despite some Cabinet ministers criticizing Mandelson’s initial response, Baroness Kennedy labeled his lack of apology as “shocking” in a BBC Newsnight interview. She emphasized the importance of Mandelson recognizing his mistake and offering a sincere apology to the victims who suffered.
Mandelson admitted that he believed Epstein’s claims of innocence even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The surfaced emails revealed Mandelson’s support for Epstein’s early release, leading to embarrassment and regret for his actions.
When asked about being dismissed, Mandelson accepted the decision made by Keir Starmer, stating his intention to move forward without reopening the issue.