Peter Mandelson ‘Betrayed’ Britain, Keir Starmer Says In Tense PMQs

Keir Starmer has accused Peter Mandelson of “betraying” Britain over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The prime minister admitted that he was aware the pair had maintained contact before appointing him the UK’s ambassador to Washington – and that he now “regrets” giving him the plum diplomatic job.

Starmer said Mandelson had “lied repeatedly” about the extent of his friendship with Epstein while he was being vetted for the role.

Mandelson is now facing a criminal investigation over allegations he shared market sensitive information with Epstein when he was business secretary in Gordon Brown’s government between 2008 and 2010.

“To learn that there was a cabinet minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 crash is beyond infuriating,” Starmer said at prime minister’s questions.

“I am as angry as the public and any member of this house. Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and my party.

“He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador.

“I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he wouldn’t have been anywhere near government.

“The cabinet secretary with my support took the decision to refer the material to the police and there is now a criminal investigation.”

The prime minister said he had asked officials to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his title too, and “wider legislation” to remove disgraced peers.

He added that he agreed with the King to remove Mandelson from the list of privy counsellors “on the grounds that he has brought the reputation of the privy council into disrepute.”

Starmer said: “He is responsible for a litany of deceit.”

When asked about just how much No.10 knew about Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein before the ambassador appointment, the PM said: “What was not known was the depth, the sheer depth and the extent of the relationship.

“He lied about that to everyone for years, and new information was published in September showing the relationship was materially different from what we’d been led to believe. When the new information came to light, I sacked him …

“So I can be totally open with the house, I should also disclose that the Metropolitan police have been in touch with my office this morning to raise issues about anything that would prejudice their investigations. We’re in discussion with them about that, and I hope to be able to update the house, but I do think I should make that clear.”

Mandelson was sacked as ambassador when it emerged he had continued his friendship with Epstein after the disgraced financier was convicted of soliciting underage sex back in September.

The US Department of Justice released more than three million documents detailing Epstein’s personal correspondence with elite figures around the world at the weekend.

Mandelson quit the Labour Party on Sunday to avoid “further embarrassment” and then decided to step down from the House of Lords on Tuesday, though that does not automatically mean he loses his title.