British premier admits 'wrong judgement' over Mandelson US ambassador appointment

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday told MPs he made a “wrong” judgment in appointing Epstein-linked Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US, in a statement to the House of Commons on the vetting process surrounding the peer’s appointment.

Starmer said he accepted full responsibility for the decision and issued an apology, including to victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Addressing MPs, Starmer said: “I want to be very clear with the House that, while this statement will focus on the process surrounding Peter Mandelson's vetting and appointment, at the heart of this, there is also a judgment I made that was wrong.

“I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson. I take responsibility for that decision. And I apologize, again to the victims of the pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, who were clearly failed by my decision.”

Mandelson, long dubbed a political "spin doctor" and the "Prince of Darkness" for his strategic prowess and backroom influence, saw his decades-long career end with his resignations from both the Labour Party and the House of Lords.

He became British ambassador to the US in February 2025 but was dismissed in September after Downing Street said new information about the depth of his relationship with Epstein had emerged.

Disclosures in the Epstein files show that Jeffrey Epstein made payments totaling about £55,000 ($74,000) between 2003 and 2004 to Mandelson or his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, and covered Silva’s educational expenses.

Emails in the files also suggest Mandelson shared sensitive UK government information with Epstein during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.