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Keir Starmer has confirmed for the first time he knew about Peter Mandelson’s longer-term relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him US ambassador, saying the peer had “lied repeatedly” about the extent of his contact with the child sex offender.
Questioned repeatedly at prime minister’s questions, Starmer said Mandelson had “betrayed our country” in his dealings with Epstein.
“He lied repeatedly to my team, when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador,” the prime minister said. “I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never been anywhere near government.”
Saying that Mandelson was now being investigated by police over his apparent leaking of market-sensitive information and Downing Street emails to Epstein while serving in Gordon Brown’s government, Starmer said Mandelson had been removed as a privy councillor and there were also moves to strip him of his peerage.
He said: “This morning, I have agreed with his majesty the king that Mandelson should be removed from the list of privy councillors on grounds that he brought the reputation of the privy council into disrepute.”
Senior ministers are routinely made members of the privy council, a historical body that used to advise the monarch, and remain so for life.
Saying his thoughts were with Epstein’s victims, Starmer added: “Can I also say our thoughts are with all those who lost jobs, savings and livelihoods in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash. To learn that there was a cabinet minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 crash is beyond infuriating, and I’m as angry as the public and any member of this house.”
Mandelson, he went on, “betrayed our country, our parliament and my party”.
Questioned repeatedly by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, about what he knew regarding Mandelson’s ties to Epstein before appointing the peer US ambassador, Starmer acknowledged he knew – as had been reported in the media – that Mandelson and Epstein were in contact after Epstein’s 2008 jail term for child sex offences.
“Can the prime minister tell us, did the official security vetting he received mention Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein?” Badenoch asked.
Starmer replied: “Yes, it did. As a result, as a result, various questions were put to him.” Mandelson responded with lies, he said.
The Conservatives are seeking to force the release of official documents about Mandelson’s appointment, using an opposition-day debate later on Wednesday. The government has offered to do this in a more limited way, tabling an amendment to the Tory motion.
“I want to make sure this house sees the full documentation, so it will see for itself the extent to which, time and time again, Mandelson completely misrepresented the extent of his relationship with Epstein, and lied throughout the process, including in response to the due diligence,” Starmer said.
It was, however, vital to first remove documents that related to national security or could jeopardise international relations, Starmer said.
Badenoch accused the PM of using national security as “a red herring”, saying the Tory motion would also take account of national security. She added: “The national security issue was appointing Mandelson.”
Badenoch went on to criticise Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, seen as instrumental in pushing for Mandelson to get the Washington role, asking if Starmer still had confidence in him.
Starmer replied: “Morgan McSweeney is an essential part of my team. He helped me change the Labour party and win an election. Of course, I have confidence.”
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan police said they had formally launched a criminal investigation into the claims that Mandelson leaked market sensitive information, after documents from the Epstein files appeared to show the then business secretary sent confidential details of internal discussions in the aftermath of the financial crash.
The revelations have prompted a furious backlash from across the political spectrum, including from Brown, prime minister at the time of the alleged breaches.
