In a dramatic reversal, former British ambassador Peter Mandelson has issued a public apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. This apology comes after he initially refused to say sorry during his first television interview since being fired from his diplomatic position.
Mandelson Changes His Stance
The Guardian reported this significant development. Mandelson served as Britain's ambassador to the United States until recently. Prime Minister Keir Starmer removed him from this prestigious role due to his connections with the disgraced financier.
The Initial Refusal to Apologize
Just days earlier, Mandelson gave an interview to the BBC. During that conversation, he stated clearly that he would not apologize. He claimed he lacked knowledge about Epstein's criminal activities.
"If I had known, if I was in any way complicit or culpable, of course I would apologize for it but I was not culpable," Mandelson told the broadcaster. Bloomberg News reported these comments from the Sunday interview.
Why Mandelson Lost His Job
The politician's dismissal followed a specific event. In September, Bloomberg News released a batch of emails. These messages revealed the true depth of Mandelson's connection with the late financier.
Mandelson himself acknowledged the Prime Minister's decision. He said he understands why Starmer removed him from the ambassador position. Furthermore, he confirmed he has no plans to return to public office in any capacity.
The Content of the Apology
In his formal statement, Mandelson expressed what he called an "unequivocal" apology. He specifically apologized for maintaining ties with Epstein after the financier's conviction.
"At the weekend, I gave an interview to the BBC," Mandelson wrote. "In answering questions about my association with Jeffrey Epstein I did not want to be held responsible for his crimes of which I was ignorant, not indifferent, because of the lies he told me and so many others."
He continued with a clearer admission of fault. "I want to say loudly and clearly that I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered."
Mandelson still maintained his personal innocence regarding Epstein's crimes. "I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the full truth about him after his death."
He concluded this section with direct remorse. "But his victims did know what he was doing, their voices were not heard and I am truly sorry I was amongst those who believed him over them."
Mandelson's Explanation of His Relationship with Epstein
During his earlier BBC interview, Mandelson offered an unusual explanation. He suggested that Epstein might have kept him separate from the sexual aspects of his life because of Mandelson's sexuality.
"Possibly some people will think because I am a gay man... I wasn't attuned to what was going on. I don't really accept that," Mandelson told the BBC.
Visits to Epstein's Properties
The former ambassador admitted to visiting several of Epstein's properties. These included:
- One or two nights on Epstein's notorious private island
- Visits to the financier's New York property
- Visits to Epstein's New Mexico estate
However, Mandelson described these visits as uneventful. "The only people that were there were the housekeepers; never were there any young women or girls, or people that he was preying on or engaging with in that sort of ghastly predatory way that we subsequently found out he was doing," he claimed.
He made a particularly notable statement about the island visits. "Epstein was never there," Mandelson noted, according to the BBC report.
Background on Jeffrey Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender facing serious charges at the time of his death. Authorities accused him of sex trafficking young women and girls. Some victims were as young as fourteen years old.
These latest accusations came more than a decade after his initial conviction. That earlier conviction was for soliciting prostitution from a minor. It resulted in Epstein being registered as a sex offender.
Epstein died under controversial circumstances. He was found dead in his New York prison cell on August 10, 2019. At that time, he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges without the possibility of bail.
