PM swerves questions on whether he spoke to Mandelson over Epstein friendship

"Documents released last week revealed the prime minister was warned that Lord Mandelson's relationship with Epstein posed a "reputational risk". The 147 pages were the first batch of files to be released, after MPs voted for the government to publish documents about Lord Mandelson's appointment. The papers included a reference to a 2019 report commissioned by US bank JP Morgan which said Epstein appeared to "maintain a particularly close relationship" with Lord Mandelson."

"Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador last September following new information about his friendship with Epstein. The prime minister has previously said he did not know the extent and depth of the two men's relationship when he chose Lord Mandelson as his Washington ambassador. Further revelations contained in the release of Epstein files in the US at the start of the year prompted a crisis of leadership for the prime minister."

"Despite repeated questioning in the Commons from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Sir Keir did not confirm if a conversation had taken place, instead apologising for the appointment and attacking Badenoch for her stance on Iran. Badenoch accused Sir Keir of outsourcing decisions to his staff and failing to be straight with MPs."

Sir Keir Starmer declined to confirm whether he spoke to Peter Mandelson about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him UK ambassador to the US. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch repeatedly questioned Starmer in Parliament, but he apologized for the appointment without directly answering. Released documents revealed the prime minister received warnings that Mandelson's Epstein relationship posed reputational risks. A 2019 JP Morgan report noted Epstein maintained a particularly close relationship with Mandelson, who reportedly stayed at Epstein's house in 2009. Mandelson was removed as ambassador in September following new Epstein revelations. Starmer previously claimed ignorance of the relationship's extent, while Mandelson maintains he answered vetting questions truthfully.

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