Lord Mandelson has offered a personal apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging his regret for maintaining a friendship with the notorious criminal. This apology comes in the wake of public scrutiny following the revelation of emails exchanged between Mandelson and Epstein last September, which led to Mandelson’s dismissal as the US Ambassador.
In a recent interview, the Labour peer was questioned about apologizing to Epstein’s victims for his association with the convicted sex offender. Mandelson’s initial apology was directed towards the women, expressing remorse for a system that failed to protect their voices and rights.
Following backlash and criticism, Mandelson issued a statement to BBC Newsnight, admitting his mistake in trusting Epstein and continuing their association post-conviction. He unequivocally apologized to the women and girls who suffered due to his actions.
Despite Cabinet ministers and peers condemning his initial response, Mandelson clarified that he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes and had been misled by Epstein’s deceit. He acknowledged the importance of apologizing to the victims and expressed regret for not doing so sooner.
Reflecting on his past interactions with Epstein, Mandelson admitted to believing Epstein’s innocence despite his prior criminal conviction. He acknowledged the embarrassing nature of the emails exchanged with Epstein, where he supported Epstein’s plea for early release.
When questioned about his dismissal, Mandelson accepted the decision made by Keir Starmer and expressed his intention to move forward without revisiting the issue.