Lord Peter Mandelson has issued a personal apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for maintaining a relationship with the infamous sex offender. This apology follows recent criticism after emails between Mandelson and Epstein were made public in September, leading to his dismissal as the US Ambassador.
During a Sunday interview, the Labour peer was asked if he would apologize to the victims for his association with the predatory billionaire. In response, Mandelson apologized to the women for a system that failed to listen to their voices and protect them as they deserved.
Following backlash, Mandelson provided a statement to BBC Newsnight on Monday evening, expressing regret for trusting Epstein and continuing their association after his conviction. He admitted his mistake in believing Epstein’s lies and apologized unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered as a result.
Despite some Cabinet ministers criticizing his initial comments, Baroness Kennedy described it as “shocking” that Mandelson did not immediately apologize for his association with Epstein. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging the suffering of the victims and expressed relief that Mandelson eventually addressed the issue.
Over the weekend, Mandelson disclosed that despite Epstein’s previous conviction in 2008, he was persuaded by the financier’s claims of innocence. Mandelson’s emails advising Epstein to fight for early release were deemed embarrassing and regrettable.
When asked if he deserved to be dismissed, Mandelson accepted the decision without seeking to revisit the issue, stating his intention to move forward.