BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Keir Starmer never met Jeffrey Epstein, but the reverberations from the disgraced financier’s global network of influence are now shaking the foundations of the British prime minister’s leadership.
The long shadow cast by Epstein has already claimed prominent figures in British public life. A friendship with the late sex offender helped bring about the downfall of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. More recently, it cost Peter Mandelson his job as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington after Starmer dismissed the veteran Labour figure over his ties to Epstein. Now, fresh disclosures have plunged Starmer’s center-left government into its most serious crisis since Labour’s landslide election victory in 2024.
Starmer is under mounting pressure from within his own party over his decision to appoint Mandelson to the Washington post despite longstanding concerns about the former cabinet minister’s relationship with Epstein. Newly released documents have intensified that scrutiny, dominating headlines across Britain and raising questions about Starmer’s judgment, the robustness of government vetting procedures and the prime minister’s repeated pledge to restore integrity to public life.
On Thursday, Starmer issued a public apology to Epstein’s victims, acknowledging that Mandelson had misled him about the extent of their relationship.
“I am sorry, sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you,” Starmer said. “Sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him.”
The prime minister’s remarks followed revelations suggesting Mandelson had portrayed Epstein as a marginal acquaintance when, in fact, their association appeared significantly closer. Political analysts say the apology, while necessary, may not be enough to contain the damage.
“He is now essentially a boxer on the ropes,” said Rob Ford, a professor of political science at the University of Manchester. “His administration could fall tomorrow, or it could stagger on for months or even years. But his authority is seriously diminished.”
Mandelson, 72, was dismissed last September after the publication of emails showing he maintained contact with Epstein well after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges alleging he sexually abused dozens of girls.
Further documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice last week deepened the controversy. Among them were records indicating Mandelson may have shared sensitive government information with Epstein in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. The files also included evidence of payments totaling $75,000 in 2003 and 2004 from Epstein to accounts linked to Mandelson or his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, as well as informal and jocular correspondence that suggested a far more personal relationship than Mandelson had previously acknowledged.
British police are now investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office. He is not accused of any sexual crimes and has said he never witnessed any sexual wrongdoing by Epstein.
Starmer appointed Mandelson to the Washington role citing his deep experience in trade policy, extensive international contacts and formidable political skills, which were viewed as assets in navigating relations with President Donald Trump’s second administration. Critics, however, argue that the prime minister underestimated the political risk. Mandelson had previously been forced to resign twice from senior government posts over ethics and financial controversies, long before the Epstein revelations resurfaced.
Those concerns came sharply into focus in the House of Commons this week. Asked whether the government’s vetting process in 2024 had uncovered that Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein continued after the 2008 conviction, Starmer replied “Yes,” triggering audible shock across the chamber. The following day, he sought to clarify the remark, saying he meant only that it had long been publicly known that the two men were acquainted.
The government has pledged to release documents related to Mandelson’s vetting, arguing they will demonstrate that the former ambassador misled officials. However, the process is complicated by the ongoing police investigation and by the involvement of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, which will review some materials for potential national security implications. Not all documents are expected to be made public.
Labour lawmakers are increasingly vocal in their criticism. Paula Barker, a Labour member of Parliament, said the episode had exposed serious flaws in Starmer’s decision-making.
“The prime minister has shown that his judgment is questionable,” she said. “He has a lot of questions to answer, and a long way to go to rebuild trust, both with the public and within our party.”
The Mandelson affair has landed at a precarious moment for Starmer. Since sweeping to power in July 2024, his government has struggled to deliver rapid economic growth, reverse the decline of public services and ease pressure on household finances. Starmer campaigned on a promise to restore probity after more than a decade of scandal under Conservative rule, yet his administration has been hampered by policy reversals, welfare disputes and internal divisions.
Labour has also slipped behind the hard-right Reform UK party in several opinion polls, fueling speculation about a possible leadership challenge even before the Epstein-related disclosures. While no formal challenge has yet emerged, the controversy has sharpened internal tensions.
Potential rivals remain constrained by their own vulnerabilities. Angela Rayner, a prominent figure on the party’s left, resigned as deputy prime minister last year over a tax issue. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, seen as a leading voice on Labour’s right, previously had close ties to Mandelson, complicating his position.
Some Labour lawmakers are now calling for the removal of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s influential chief of staff, who is widely regarded as a key architect of Mandelson’s appointment and is mistrusted by parts of the parliamentary party.
Despite the growing unrest, Starmer has insisted he will press on. On Thursday, he vowed to continue the “vital work” of governing. Yet further tests loom. Labour faces a difficult by-election on Feb. 26 in Greater Manchester, where it risks losing a long-held seat, and is widely expected to perform poorly in regional and local elections in May.
Whenever Starmer’s tenure ultimately ends, Ford believes the turning point is already clear. “When the moment comes that he leaves, whether by choice or because his MPs force him out,” he said, “it will all be traced back to the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson.”
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