Starmer Says He Knew of Mandelson–Epstein Ties but Claims He Was Misled on Their Extent

The British prime minister acknowledged prior awareness of the relationship but said newly released documents revealed deeper connections that led to Mandelson’s dismissal.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Wednesday that he was aware his mentor and former U.K. ambassador to the United States, Lord Peter Mandelson, maintained a relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein’s imprisonment, but said he had been misled about the full scope of those ties.

Starmer made the admission during a tense session in the House of Commons as he sought to deflect blame over his decision to appoint Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, a move that has since become a focal point of a growing political scandal. The prime minister said he was informed in 2024 by a Financial Times journalist that Mandelson had stayed at Epstein’s home following Epstein’s conviction, an issue raised publicly Wednesday by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions.

While confirming he knew of the connection, Starmer said he did not understand the “sheer depth and extent of the relationship” until new information emerged, according to reporting by The Times here.

“He lied about that to everyone for years. New information was published in September showing the relationship was materially different to what we’d been led to believe. When the new information came to light, I sacked him,” Starmer said. “If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been appointed [as ambassador to Washington].”

The controversy has intensified following the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein, including emails involving Mandelson. According to those files, Mandelson allegedly used his former role as business secretary under the Gordon Brown Labour government in 2009 to share confidential, potentially market-sensitive information with Epstein, including advance notice of a planned €500 billion bailout.

The newly released tranche of documents also appears to show Mandelson receiving $75,000 (£55,000) in payments from Epstein, along with an additional £10,000 reportedly paid to Mandelson’s husband in 2009.

London’s Metropolitan Police said Tuesday evening that it has opened a criminal investigation into Mandelson over potential misconduct while in office, a move that came shortly after he resigned his seat in the House of Lords. Mandelson has also resigned from the Labour Party, though the step has done little to stem political fallout.

During Wednesday’s Commons exchange, Badenoch questioned whether Starmer still has confidence in his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who has been identified as a key figure behind Mandelson’s appointment as U.S. ambassador.

“We know there will be a cover-up because this implicates the prime minister and Morgan McSweeney,” Badenoch said.

Starmer responded that McSweeney remains an “essential part” of his team. However, pressure within Labour continued to build, underscored by a backbench revolt that forced the government to reverse course on efforts to limit which Mandelson-related documents would be released for parliamentary scrutiny.

The episode adds to mounting political difficulties for Starmer, whose approval ratings have fallen since taking office last year and who has faced persistent reports of internal leadership challenges. With local elections scheduled for May, questions remain over whether the embattled prime minister can stabilize his position amid an expanding scandal tied to Epstein’s network and its political reverberations.