Mandelson had come under scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after the release of a letter in which he purportedly described the late sex offender as "my best pal."

Sir Keir Starmer has given Peter Mandelson his full backing after it emerged the British ambassador to the US had described notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein as his “best pal”.

PM says he has confidence in ambassador when questioned in the Commons by Lib Dem and Tory leaders