Key Highlights
- Lord Peter Mandelson claims Jeffrey Epstein kept him separate from his sexual side because of his sexuality.
- Mandelson was the UK’s ambassador to the US and was sacked over his links with Epstein.
- The former diplomat says he never saw girls at Epstein’s properties but maintains he was not knowledgeable about what Epstein was doing.
- He apologised for a system that failed victims of Epstein’s crimes, calling it his “greatest regret” to this day.
Ambassador Mandelson on Epstein and His Apology
In an exclusive interview with BBC 3 days ago, Lord Peter Mandelson made headlines by revealing that Jeffrey Epstein kept him separate from the financier’s sexual activities because of his sexuality. This revelation comes after Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the US over his connections with Epstein.
Mandelson’s Denial and Apology
Despite the sacking, Mandelson maintains he never saw girls at Epstein’s properties and claims not to have been knowledgeable about what the financier was doing. He said, “I want to apologise to those women for a system that refused to hear their voices and did not give them the protection they were entitled to expect.” He added, “That system gave him protection and not them.”
Epstein’s Conviction and Death
The late financier Jeffrey Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was registered as a sex offender. He died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In his first interview since being sacked, Mandelson said he regretted not knowing more about Epstein’s activities.
Defence of His Friendship
Mandelson defended his friendship with Epstein by saying, “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.” He elaborated, “I think the issue is that because I was a gay man in his circle I was kept separate from what he was doing in the sexual side of his life.”
Emails and Sacking
The government sacked Mandelson as its ambassador to the US after emails emerged showing supportive messages he had sent to Epstein after the American’s first conviction. These included a message where Mandelson told Epstein to “fight for early release” and another on the day before Epstein began his prison sentence: “I think the world of you.” Downing Street said these emails showed the “depth and extent” of their relationship was “materially different” from what they knew when appointing him.
Future Reflections
Mandelson said, “The prime minister found himself in the middle of what must’ve seemed to him to have been some kind of thermonuclear explosion – I’ve been there, I know what goes on.” He added that he understands why he was sacked but is moving on. “One thing I’m very clear about is that I’m not going to seek to reopen or relitigate this issue.”
Expert Perspectives
Heidi Alexander, Labour’s Transport Secretary, called Mandelson’s remarks “deep naivety” and said he should have apologised for continuing the friendship. “It would have gone a long way for the women who were subjected to the most appalling treatment at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein,” she added.
Lord Mandelson also commented on US President Donald Trump’s views on Greenland, saying, “I don’t know, but I’m offering my best judgement as somebody who’s observed him at fairly close quarters. He’s not a fool.” He further stated that securing the Arctic against China and Russia will require strong American leadership.
Mandelson’s reflections on Epstein and his role in British politics provide a stark reminder of the complexities of international diplomacy and the ethical challenges faced by political figures, especially when involved with controversial individuals like Jeffrey Epstein.
