Lord Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States, has issued a full apology for maintaining a friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This comes just days after he publicly refused to say sorry in a televised interview.
From Refusal to Regret: A Swift U-Turn
In a statement to Sky News on Tuesday 13 January 2026, Mandelson said he wished to "apologise unequivocally" for remaining friends with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction. Epstein had pleaded guilty to charges including soliciting prostitution from a minor.
This marked a stark reversal from his position during a BBC interview on Sunday. When asked then if he would apologise to Epstein's victims, Mandelson refused. He stated he would only apologise if he had been "complicit or culpable," insisting he was "not knowledgeable" about Epstein's crimes.
The Fallout from Historic Emails
Lord Mandelson's relationship with the disgraced financier led to his dismissal as ambassador by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in September. This followed the publication of historic emails which revealed their connection was "materially different" to what he had disclosed to the government.
In his new apology, Mandelson conceded he was "wrong to believe" Epstein after his conviction and to continue their association. "I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered," he stated.
However, he continued to deny any prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes, a stance he previously linked to his sexuality, claiming Epstein did not share details of his sex life with him because he is gay. "Like everyone else, I learned the full truth about him after his death," Mandelson said.
Political Consequences and Calls for Action
The initial refusal to apologise sparked outrage, including criticism from government ministers. The controversy has now intensified calls for further consequences.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has launched a fresh campaign this week, demanding that Lord Mandelson be stripped of his right to sit in the House of Lords as a Labour peer. This move places ongoing pressure on the Labour leadership regarding the conduct of its members.
Mandelson concluded his statement by expressing sorrow that he was among those who believed Epstein over his victims, whose voices were not heard. The political ramifications of this long-running scandal continue to unfold.
