By JILL LAWLESS and BRIAN MELLEYLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned that Peter Mandelson ’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein exposed the government to “reputational risk,” but he still appointed him as ambassador to the United States, documents released Wednesday show. The newly published files show the prime minister ignored red flags raised by his staff when he appointed the savvy but controversial Mandelson to the U.K.’s most important diplomatic post. “I reiterate for the House that the prime minister deeply regrets taking him at his word. “The prime minister knew all he needed to know. The documents show that after being sacked Mandelson asked for a 547,000 pound payoff, the rest of his four-year salary.

Source: The Times March 11, 2026 12:32 UTC