Starmer admits mistake: Mandelson repeatedly lied about Epstein

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has admitted to misconduct in appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, saying the former Labour Party heavyweight "repeatedly lied" about his contacts with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer is facing pressure from the opposition to disclose the circumstances surrounding Mandelson's selection, but has agreed only to partial disclosure of documents so as not to jeopardize national security and foreign relations.

Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords after the release of US court documents and is under investigation for suspected abuse of public office. Emails suggest that he provided Epstein with sensitive government information and may have accepted financial payments.

Starmer spoke in Parliament of "betrayal of the country" and emphasized that the government had acted quickly—Mandelson was stripped of all his titles and his case was referred to the police.

Nevertheless, critics argue that the scandal seriously calls into question the judgment of the prime minister and his closest advisers.

(reuters, pir)