UK PM Starmer admits Mandelson mistake, rejects resignation calls
Summary
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted he made a mistake by appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington but refused to resign. He said the Foreign Office ignored security officials’ advice against the appointment and did not inform him that Mandelson failed security clearance due to his links with Jeffrey Epstein.Key Facts
- Starmer appointed Mandelson as ambassador to Washington in December 2024; Mandelson started in February 2025.
- Security officials recommended against Mandelson’s appointment because of his known ties to Epstein.
- The Foreign Office overruled the security advice and did not tell Starmer about Mandelson’s failed security vetting.
- Mandelson was removed from the post after documents revealed his connections to Epstein.
- The scandal has led to the resignation of top Foreign Office official Olly Robbins and Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
- Critics say Starmer should resign, but he denies misleading Parliament and blames the Foreign Office for withholding information.
- The issue has raised questions about Starmer’s judgment and comes shortly before local elections.
- Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
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