"Peter Mandelson's messages to Jeffrey Epstein were disturbing and sickening and it's important that we get to the bottom of this, a minister has said while insisting the PM retains confidence in the US ambassador. Mike Tapp, the immigration minister, said he was personally disturbed the emails Mandelson sent Epstein in 2008 while he faced charges for soliciting sex from underage girls, and that they left a bad taste in the mouth."
"In his emails Mandelson, who once described Epstein as his best pal, urged the disgraced financier to fight for early release and assured him that your friends stay with you and love you. I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened, he wrote. I can still barely understand it. It just could not happen in Britain. Tapp said he shuddered at hearing those words and that it was important that we get to the bottom of this and do have all the answers. He pointed to Mandelson's statement on Wednesday expressing embarrassment and regret."
"Speaking to Sky News, Tapp said he would support MPs if they summoned Mandelson to give evidence to a parliamentary inquiry. The Conservatives have called for the foreign affairs select committee to investigate Mandelson's links to Epstein. Tapp said he could not say whether Starmer would continue to have confidence in Mandelson"
Immigration minister Mike Tapp said he was disturbed by emails Peter Mandelson sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2008 while Epstein faced charges for soliciting sex from underage girls. The emails reportedly urged Epstein to fight for early release and included reassurances that your friends stay with you and love you. Conservatives and the Scottish National Party called for Mandelson's resignation. The Liberal Democrats demanded an inquiry into whether diplomatic code was breached. Downing Street said due process was followed before Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. Tapp said he would support MPs if they summoned Mandelson to give evidence to a parliamentary inquiry.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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