Questions for Starmer after appointing and then sacking Mandelson
發佈日期: 2025-09-12 20:07
TVB News
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing questions over his appointment of Peter Mandelson, who has now been sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US.
Mandelson wrote birthday wishes to Jeffrey Epstein and exchanged emails with the convicted paedophile calling Epstein his "best pal".
The government in London says new information about the depth of their relationship meant Mandelson could no longer stay in his post in Washington.
Mandelson says he regrets being introduced to Epstein.
Britain's man in Washington at the centre of power seen here next to President Trump in May.
The ex-ambassador playing a key role in the special transatlantic relationship ahead of Trump's state visit to the UK.
It is Mandelson's friendship with former financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who he once called "his best pal", which has meant his role in the US could not continue.
Also in May, he was questioned by Sky News about staying at an Epstein property in New York in 2009.
Peter Mandelson said at the time: "I'm not answering any questions about him.'
(He was in jail at the time for soliciting prostitution from a minor.)
My knowledge of him is something that I regret. I wish I'd never met him in the first place.
(Why did you have an association with him? Because he was in jail at the time)
Why did many people meet him? He was a prolific networker and I wish I had never met him in the first place.
Moments like this, the 71-year-old appearing in a book this week revealing Mandelson's birthday wishes
for Epstein in 2003 and then the publication of other communications was the final straw for the Labour government with Foreign Secretary Stephen Doughty announcing the decision to remove him in the House of Commons.
"Emails show, Mr. Speaker, that the depth and extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment," Doughty.
"Lord Mandelson's suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein's first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information. And in light of that, Mr. Speaker, and mindful, as we all are, of the victims of Epstein's appalling crimes, and he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the decision to sack Mandelson only after the emails were published by Bloomberg and the Sun newspaper.
Hours earlier, Starmer said he had confidence in Mandelson.
In one email, Mandelson told Epstein: "I think the world of you."
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
He died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Mandelson already had a tarnished political career.
Twice forced out of cabinet positions.
As Trade Secretary in 1998 he resigned over an undisclosed loan.
And after making a stunning comeback less than a year later,as Secretary for Northern Ireland, he lasted less than two years in that job after using his position to influence a passport application for a wealthy Indian.
Mandelson leaves another prominent role which the opposition say Starmer should never have given to him in the first place.
