Sir Keir Starmer was on the rack on Monday night over why he kept faith with Peter Mandelson even while his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was being investigated by Government officials.
On Monday, it emerged the Prime Minister was aware damning emails between Lord Mandelson and the paedophile existed when backing him in the Commons.
After days of silence, Sir Keir finally broke cover in an interview in which he insisted he would never have appointed the controversial peer as US ambassador if he had known the full truth about his friendship with Epstein.
Labour strategists hoped the interview would help clear the air and prevent it overshadowing the visit of Donald Trump, who arrives for the start of his second state visit tonight.
But critics said it only raised more questions than it answered about the PM's judgment.
