Starmer Says He ‘Regrets’ Appointing Peter Mandelson After Latest Epstein Files Disclosures

The British government will release documents related to the decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington in response to the uproar over newly released Jeffrey Epstein files.The prime minister, Keir Starmer, says Mr. Mandelson “lied repeatedly” about his relationship with Epstein during the vetting process.Mr. Starmer is facing pressure after the latest Epstein files showed a more detailed look at the relationship between Mr. Mandelson and Epstein.The prime minister fired Mr. Mandelson in September after other emails were published that showed he remained friends with the former financier, who killed himself in prison in 2019, following his 2008 conviction for sex charges involving a minor.Mr. Mandelson asked Epstein how they should “celebrate” on the 2009 day Epstein was released from prison, a newly released email shows.Another newly released email has Mr. Mandelson telling Epstein, “I never left your side” despite his “trials and tribulations.”Mr. Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords in disgrace on Tuesday as Scotland Yard announced that it was opening an investigation into him for what it called “misconduct in public office” after other newly released Epstein files showed he may have shared market-sensitive information in an email with Epstein following the 2008 global financial crisis, including early notice of a 500 billion bailout of the euro.“To learn that there was a cabinet minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 crash is beyond infuriating,” Mr. Starmer said in the House of Commons on Wednesday. “And I am as angry as the public and any member of this house.”Mr. Mandelson had been a major figure in the Labour Party for decades and had the nickname the Prince of Darkness for his ruthless political style.“Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament, and my party,” Mr. Starmer continued. “Mr. Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador.”“I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government,” Mr. Starmer added.Mr. Starmer says he would release most documents surrounding the decision to appoint Mr. Mandelson. He said some with national security implications would be held back.The Conservative Party had planned to force a vote in Parliament calling for their release. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says the government should publish all of the files. “The prime minister is talking about national security. The national security issue was appointing Mandelson in the first place,” Ms. Badenoch said.After pressure from Conservatives, the government agreed to turn over sensitive information to the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee. No release was planned for Wednesday to give Scotland Yard time to review the documents. Investigators had asked for some documents to be held back because they could undermine their current investigation.“Going forward as material is made available to us, and if we identify further documents that we believe could prejudice our investigation, we will continue to ask the government to pause their release until such time as the risk of prejudice no longer exists,” Scotland Yard said in a statement.Mr. Mandelson, In his resignation letter to the Labour Party, said he was “sorry for ever having known” Epstein and apologized “to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.”

Starmer Says He ‘Regrets’ Appointing Peter Mandelson After Latest Epstein Files Disclosures

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