Keir Starmer apologises to Epstein victims amid calls to quit

Keir Starmer apologised to victims of Jeffrey Epstein, saying he was sorry for having believed Peter Mandelson's lies and for appointing him. The prime minister had appointed Mandelson as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States.

How the revelations unfolded

Mr Starmer removed Mandelson from the ambassadorial post last September after emails were published that suggested he had remained in contact with Jeffrey Epstein. Files released by the US Department of Justice have set out new allegations that Mandelson sometimes passed documents and that there are records of payments linked to him. The Metropolitan Police said Mandelson is under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office. Following the revelations, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party, quit the House of Lords and was removed from the Privy Council. Downing Street said it would release all material relating to Mandelson's appointment and referred sensitive documents to a cross-party security committee. Some Labour MPs have publicly demanded the prime minister resign or have called for the dismissal of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

Starmer's apology and parliamentary remarks

He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him,

Speaking in parliament, Starmer apologised directly to victims and said he regretted appointing Mandelson after being misled.

What the US files allege

The Department of Justice release and subsequent reporting have alleged that Mandelson passed documents to Epstein and that records show payments linked to him. Some documents published in reporting appear to show Mandelson sharing sensitive government information with Epstein while he served as a minister.

Official responses and oversight

Downing Street said it would release all material relating to Mandelson's appointment and had referred particularly sensitive documents to the Intelligence and Security Committee. The Intelligence and Security Committee said it could not commit to a publication date until it knew the size of the task at hand.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney ordered an investigatory audit into his government's dealings with Mandelson to see if the interests of Scotland had been undermined.

Political voices: calls and defences

Kemi Badenoch said Starmer should resign and invited rebel Labour MPs to talk to her party about trying to oust him.

Opposition parties called for a parliamentary confidence vote to decide whether the prime minister can continue in office.

Some backbench Labour MPs demanded the sacking of Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister's chief of staff.

Steve Reed defended the appointment, saying it was a rational choice given Mandelson's experience and that the prime minister and his team had been lied to.

John Swinney said the prime minister had demonstrated a most appalling lack of judgement and that the Labour Government's reputation was in tatters.

Nigel Farage called the prime minister's apology very weak and not quite believable.

Market reaction and warnings

Analysts warned of an acute risk to sterling and to government borrowing costs if the prime minister were forced out. They said the political turmoil could spook markets and raise borrowing costs.

Political analysts and pressure groups warned that the scandal leaves Mr Starmer severely wounded ahead of the May elections and could prompt internal personnel changes at No 10.

Timeline discrepancy

Some outlets reported that the prime minister had appointed Mandelson in December 2024. Other reporting placed the appointment in February of last year, a substantive difference in the timeline that affects how long Mandelson served before his removal.

Security, speculation and procedure

Journalists and commentators have speculated that if documents prove Mandelson passed market-sensitive material to Epstein, that could amount to serious national-security and legal breaches.

The Intelligence and Security Committee said it could not commit to a publication date until it knew the size of the task at hand. Commentators warned that delays in publishing the vetting papers will prolong public scrutiny of the prime minister.

What happens next

Immediate steps are the Metropolitan Police inquiry into Mandelson, the ISC review of vetting papers and Downing Street's pledge to publish material. Opposition parties are considering whether to table a confidence motion that would formally test the prime minister's position.

State of play

Reporting is agreed that Mr Starmer apologised to victims and that the Metropolitan Police has opened an investigation. US Justice Department files and subsequent reporting allege that Mandelson passed documents and that payments were recorded, and Downing Street has pledged to publish related material. The Intelligence and Security Committee says it cannot yet set a publication date, leaving timing uncertain. The immediate next steps, including the police inquiry, the ISC review and the promised document releases, will shape whether political pressure grows and how markets respond.

Built from coverage across multiple outlets and regions.