UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, battling for his political future, apologized Thursday to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing disgraced Peter Mandelson, a friend of the sex offender, as US ambassador. The latest crisis to hit his struggling government follows fresh allegations about the ex-envoy’s cosy ties to late sex offender Epstein which emerged in newly-released files last Friday. They have left many doubting Starmer’s judgment and some -- including within his ruling center-left Labor party -- questioning if he can remain prime minister. Starmer reiterated Thursday Mandelson repeatedly lied to secure the Washington job and that he had not previously known about the “depth and darkness” of his Epstein friendship. The prime minister has publicly defended his aide.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 05, 2026 17:57 UTC