Lord Mandelson has issued a personal apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret for his ongoing friendship with the convicted sex offender. The apology follows recent criticism directed at the former US Ambassador after revelations of his correspondence with Epstein came to light in September.
In an interview, the Labour peer was questioned about apologizing to the victims for his association with the billionaire predator. Initially, Lord Mandelson’s apology was limited to expressing remorse to the women “for a system that failed to listen to their voices and provide the protection they deserved.”
After facing backlash, Lord Mandelson provided a statement to BBC Newsnight, acknowledging his mistake in believing Epstein’s lies and continuing their association post-conviction. He unequivocally apologized to the women and girls who suffered due to his association with Epstein.
Despite his previous belief in Epstein’s innocence following the 2008 conviction, Lord Mandelson admitted to his error in judgment and expressed regret for not listening to the victims’ voices. Some Cabinet ministers and peers criticized Lord Mandelson for not apologizing sooner, with Baroness Kennedy describing it as “shocking” and emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the women’s suffering.
Lord Mandelson acknowledged the embarrassing nature of his past messages to Epstein, urging for early release and expressing admiration for him. While understanding the decision to sack him, Lord Mandelson affirmed his intention to move forward and not revisit the issue.
Lord Mandelson’s apology and admission of fault in his association with Epstein mark a significant development in the ongoing fallout surrounding his ties to the disgraced financier.