Lord Peter Mandelson has issued a personal apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for maintaining a friendship with the notorious sex offender. This apology follows criticism he faced after being questioned about his association with Epstein. Mandelson expressed regret over the system that failed to protect the victims’ voices and rights.
In response to the backlash, Lord Mandelson released a statement to BBC Newsnight, admitting his mistake in believing Epstein’s lies and continuing their association even after Epstein’s conviction. He unequivocally apologized to the women and girls who suffered due to his actions.
Despite some Cabinet ministers’ criticism and Baroness Kennedy’s shock over his initial lack of apology, Mandelson acknowledged his error in trusting Epstein post-conviction. He admitted to being misguided by Epstein’s deceit and expressed regret for not standing with the victims sooner.
Mandelson revealed that he had believed Epstein’s claims of innocence despite his prior conviction in 2008. The surfacing of embarrassing emails from Mandelson to Epstein, advising him on his legal issues, added to the public scrutiny.
When asked if his dismissal was warranted, Mandelson accepted the decision but emphasized his intention to move forward without revisiting the issue. He acknowledged the need to learn from his mistakes and expressed a desire to put the past behind him.
