Starmer apologised to Epstein's victims for Mandelson's appointment

Katerina Melnychenko
Katerina Melnychenko Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Starmer apologised to Epstein's victims for Mandelson's appointment
Keir Starmer in St. Leonards-on-Sea, UK, on Feb. 5.Photo Peter Nicholls Getty Images
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging the mistake of appointing Peter Mandelson to a high government position despite his hidden ties to the financier.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson to a key position in his government. The head of the British government admitted that he believed Mandelson's explanations, which downplayed the nature and duration of his contacts with the financier convicted of sex crimes. This was reported by The Public with reference to Bloomberg.

"I am sorry. I'm sorry for what happened to you. I'm sorry that people in power let you down. And I'm sorry that I believed Mandelson's lies and appointed him," Starmer said, addressing Epstein's victims directly. He also stressed that the current public discussions are forcing the victims to relive this story.

Starmer said that before Mandelson's appointment, his team had asked about possible overnight stays at Epstein's estates, as well as gifts and hospitality. According to the prime minister, Mandelson's answers were not true. New emails released by the US Department of Justice showed that the relationship between them continued for years after Epstein was convicted in 2008 for trafficking minors.

The scandal has already seriously damaged the government's position. According to a YouGov poll released after Starmer's speech, 50 per cent of Britons believe he should resign, while 24 per cent support his remaining in office. The poll covered more than 6,700 respondents.

Against the backdrop of falling ratings and ahead of local elections, tensions are rising within the Labour Party. Parliamentarians have secured a review of Mandelson's investigation materials by the cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee. At the same time, the London police are conducting their own investigation and have already asked the government to restrict the publication of certain documents so as not to jeopardise the investigation.

In a speech on the regeneration of depressed cities, Starmer acknowledged that the Mandelson scandal was distracting attention from government initiatives. According to him, British politics is at a dangerous moment, with more and more voters becoming disillusioned with traditional parties and turning to populist forces.

Share tittle
Politics
Taiwan is set to increase its missile stockpile to over 1,800 units. This is how the country is preparing for a possible attack by China
Politics

Taiwan is set to increase its missile stockpile to over 1,800 units. This is how the country is preparing for a possible attack by China

By 2029, Taiwan plans to increase its stockpile of anti-ship missiles to over 1,800 units. The country aims to counter threats from China.

04.06.2026
The court has dismissed the case against NABU detective Gusarov: treason was not proven, and the other charge was dismissed due to the statute of limitations
Politics

The court has dismissed the case against NABU detective Gusarov: treason was not proven, and the other charge was dismissed due to the statute of limitations

The court has cleared NABU detective Viktor Gusarov of criminal charges relating to allegations of treason. He had spent five months in pre-trial detention.

04.06.2026
Rubio described the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘strategic disaster’ for Russia
Politics

Rubio described the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘strategic disaster’ for Russia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine had been a strategic disaster for Russia, and that the Kremlin had failed to achieve most of its key objectives.

04.06.2026
Germany, France and the United Kingdom are discussing the possibility of talks between Ukraine and Russia
Politics

Germany, France and the United Kingdom are discussing the possibility of talks between Ukraine and Russia

Ukraine’s key European allies are exploring the possibility of involving Russia in negotiations to bring the war to an end. However, the final decision on the next steps rests with the Ukrainian leadership.

04.06.2026
The UAE is actively purchasing Ukrainian drones, but an unexpected problem has arisen regarding their integration
Politics

The UAE is actively purchasing Ukrainian drones, but an unexpected problem has arisen regarding their integration

The United Arab Emirates has begun actively purchasing and testing Ukrainian interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shahed-136 drones. However, it soon became clear that the drones alone were not enough – the entire Ukrainian detection and coordination system is required for them to operate effectively.

04.06.2026
Events
A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones
Society

A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones

The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed preventive measures on an official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a drone manufacturing company, who are suspected of demanding a bribe of $1 million during the procurement of drones for the State Border Guard Service

31.05.2026
Zelenskyy has commented on the attack on the Nova Poshta terminal in Dnipro
Society

Zelenskyy has commented on the attack on the Nova Poshta terminal in Dnipro

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the Russian attack on the "Nova Poshta" terminal in Dnipro, where a fire broke out following a drone strike. The Head of State emphasised the need to step up support for Ukraine’s air defence and to increase pressure on Russia

31.05.2026
Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory
Society

Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory

Mass riots broke out in France following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final. A total of 780 people were arrested in Paris and other cities across the country, and 57 police officers were injured during the clashes

31.05.2026
Activists are calling for DTEK's operations in Pushcha-Vodytsia to be halted
Society

Activists are calling for DTEK's operations in Pushcha-Vodytsia to be halted

The NGO "Kyivska Pushcha" has announced that DTEK Kyiv Power Grids may begin work in the Pushcha-Vodytsia recreational area by 10 June. Activists fear interference with the forest and are urging residents to document any potential violations

31.05.2026
Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections
Politics

Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party, “Civic Contract”, is set to win the parliamentary elections on 7 June. According to a poll, the Prime Minister’s party is polling at almost 65% of the vote

31.05.2026
Crime
A scheme involving the embezzlement of over 11 million hryvnias from the procurement of generators for the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been uncovered in the Chernihiv region
Crime

A scheme involving the embezzlement of over 11 million hryvnias from the procurement of generators for the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been uncovered in the Chernihiv region

Law enforcement officers have exposed officials from a military unit and representatives of contracting companies who are suspected of embezzling public funds during the procurement of generators for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the investigation, the losses to the state amounted to over 11 million hryvnias.

04.06.2026
A network smuggling men to Slovakia for $26,500 has been uncovered in Zakarpattia
Crime

A network smuggling men to Slovakia for $26,500 has been uncovered in Zakarpattia

Law enforcement officers have arrested members of a group that organised the illegal smuggling of people across the Ukrainian-Slovak border. The organisers received $26,500 from two men in return for their services.

03.06.2026
The SSU in Zakarpattia has uncovered the embezzlement of over 100 million hryvnias during the construction of protective works for an electrical substation
Crime

The SSU in Zakarpattia has uncovered the embezzlement of over 100 million hryvnias during the construction of protective works for an electrical substation

Law enforcement officers have uncovered a scheme to embezzle public funds allocated for the protection of energy infrastructure in Zakarpattia Oblast. The former head of the regional Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service is implicated in the case.

03.06.2026
A record 522 kilograms of cocaine, hidden amongst bananas, has been seized in Hungary
Crime

A record 522 kilograms of cocaine, hidden amongst bananas, has been seized in Hungary

Hungarian law enforcement officials have reported the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history. Over half a tonne of the drug was discovered in a consignment of bananas that had arrived from Ecuador via Germany.

03.06.2026
A network involved in the production and sale of forged documents has been uncovered in the Kyiv region
Crime

A network involved in the production and sale of forged documents has been uncovered in the Kyiv region

Law enforcement officers have dismantled a large-scale operation in the Kyiv region involving the production and sale of forged documents. Fifteen people have been charged in connection with the case, and six suspects have been arrested.

03.06.2026