Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended Peter Mandelson’s role as UK ambassador to the United States, despite calls for his removal over links to Jeffrey Epstein.
During Commons exchanges, Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer on whether the government was aware of Mandelson’s connection to the late financier when making the appointment. She highlighted victims’ demands for Mandelson’s dismissal and cited a Daily Telegraph report alleging Mandelson brokered a deal with Epstein while serving as business secretary.
Badenoch said: “Victims have called for him to be sacked. It is embarrassing that the prime minister has confidence in a man who brokered deals with a sex offender.”
Starmer stood firm, stating: “Due process was followed during the appointment, as it is with all ambassadors. Mandelson has repeatedly expressed his deep regret for his association with Epstein, and he is right to do so.” He stressed that the “victims of Epstein are at the forefront of our minds” and concluded: “I have confidence in our ambassador.”
Badenoch pressed the prime minister on whether all documents relating to Mandelson’s vetting and financial interests would be published. Starmer replied that any release would be subject to the “usual procedure” but emphasised Mandelson’s importance to the UK-US relationship.