Epstein affair British connections

Keir Starmer in a storm – ignored Epstein warning

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned that there were risks in appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador because of his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Nevertheless, the former Labour leader, who is now suspected of irregularities in his service linked to Epstein, was appointed.

This was revealed in a new report on Wednesday. The documents also revealed that Mandelson had access to classified information before his security clearance was complete, according to The Times.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Starmer's staff confirmed that he "read the advice" before the appointment, but said that they were not aware of the extent of the Epstein relationship, writes Sky.

- Starmer has taken responsibility for the appointment, admitted that it was a mistake and apologized, says a spokesperson.

Analysis: He was supposed to clean up – now he’s in the middle of a mess

Keir Starmer is now facing big problems. This is what The Independent’s Chris Blackhurst writes in an analysis after a new report concluded that the British Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite warnings about his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer was sold as a very different politician from his chaotic predecessors. But he is no better than Liz Truss, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, writes Blackhurst.

“Because we were assured that he was, it somehow makes him appear worse.”

In Sky News, Beth Rigby writes that Starmer promised to clean up the chaos, but that he himself is now at the center of a huge mess. The scandal is haunting a remorseful Starmer and now he is fighting for his political survival, the analysis continues. But “it is very difficult to see” how he can put things right.

The Guardian describes the report’s release as “like slapping a bruise” on an already bruised Labour party.

“The danger for the prime minister is that the pain will eventually be too much for his party,” writes Pippa Crerar.

Starmer on Mandelson: “I made a mistake”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking responsibility for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, Sky News reports.

– I made a mistake in appointing Peter Mandelson. And let me quickly follow up, as I have done before but need to do again, with an apology to Epstein’s victims for appointing Peter Mandelson, says Starmer.

It is his first statement after the report that he was warned about appointing Mandelson because of his connections to Epstein. Despite the warning, Mandelson, who is now suspected of misconduct in office, was appointed.

Starmer’s office confirmed on Thursday that he had read the report in advance. The statement is now seen as an attempt to take control of the narrative after Reform UK, the Greens and the Tory Party demanded Starmer’s resignation.

Mandelson and Epstein — the issue

• Peter Mandelson, a former Labour politician and ambassador, left the party after revelations that he had received £75,000 from Jeffrey Epstein.
• Mandelson is accused of leaking confidential documents to Epstein while he was business secretary in 2009.
• British police raided two addresses linked to Mandelson and launched an investigation into misconduct.
• Mandelson was arrested in London in February on suspicion of misconduct, and was later released on bail and had his passport returned.
• The scandal has led to harsh criticism of both Mandelson and the British government.