Summary
Officials knew about supportive emails between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein before UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Mandelson. Starmer was unaware of these email contents when he defended Mandelson during a parliamentary session. Later, Mandelson was removed from his position as ambassador due to the emails revealing a deeper connection with Epstein.
Key Facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Lord Mandelson before knowing about emails between Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein.
- The emails showed a supportive relationship and were known to officials but not to Starmer when he defended Mandelson.
- A media inquiry with details of these emails was sent to the Foreign Office and passed to the Prime Minister's office.
- Lord Mandelson was questioned about the emails but delayed in responding.
- The emails were published by news outlets and led to Mandelson's dismissal as the UK ambassador to the US.
- Mandelson expressed regret for associating with Epstein and claimed he was misled by him.
- Jeffrey Epstein had paid for Mandelson's travel expenses on two occasions in 2003.
- The relationship between Mandelson and Epstein was deeper than previously understood when Mandelson was appointed ambassador.
