Keir Starmer is under pressure to remove Peter Mandelson from the Labour Party and issue an apology to victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Members of Parliament are questioning the delay in dismissing Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador following the revelation of disturbing emails he had sent. Leading Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry raised concerns about oversight in Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s liaison to former President Donald Trump.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized the situation, highlighting the distress Epstein’s victims must have felt seeing Trump, a close associate of Epstein, ascend to the presidency. He also questioned the appointment of another Epstein acquaintance as British ambassador to the US and the Prime Minister’s support for Mandelson despite the incriminating messages.
Labour backbencher Richard Burgon expressed dissatisfaction with Lord Mandelson retaining his Labour peer status while other MPs faced suspension for dissent. He emphasized the unfairness of the situation, particularly contrasting the treatment of Diane Abbott and others suspended for opposing disability benefit cuts with Lord Mandelson’s continued party membership.
In correspondence with Epstein in 2008, Lord Mandelson expressed empathy and encouragement, urging resilience and strategic thinking. Apsana Begum, who lost the Labour whip for rebelling against the two-child benefit cap, highlighted the apparent double standards in handling her case versus Lord Mandelson’s. The debate also raised questions about the vetting process for Lord Mandelson’s appointment and its implications for national security.
The controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson has drawn criticism from various MPs, with concerns about the impact on the Prime Minister’s reputation. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty faced scrutiny during the debate, defending the government’s stance on Epstein’s victims and emphasizing the Prime Minister’s unequivocal position.
The ongoing discussions and calls for action regarding Lord Mandelson’s association with Epstein and his role in the Labour Party underscore the need for transparency and accountability within political circles.