LONDON: Former British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson has offered an “unequivocal” apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for his friendship with the late US sex offender.
Mandelson had faced criticism after failing to apologize in his first broadcast interview, which aired on Sunday, since he was fired as Britain’s top diplomat in Washington last September over the issue.
“I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards,” Mandelson said in a statement released to the BBC’s Newsnight program late on Monday following the backlash.
“I apologize unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked the ex-spin doctor and former government minister four months ago after emails emerged showing he had maintained contact with Epstein even after the American was convicted of child sex offenses in 2008.
