Peter Mandelson has stated he “regrets very deeply” persevering with his affiliation with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein “far longer than I should have” as their relationship comes underneath renewed scrutiny.
Lord Mandelson, the UK ambassador to the US, confronted questions on Tuesday after it emerged he had referred to Epstein as his “best pal” in a birthday message he wrote for the convicted intercourse offender in 2003.
In an interview with The Solar, the diplomat stated he regrets “very much that I fell for his lies… and accepted assurances he had given me about his indictment”, which noticed him jailed in 2008.
Picture:
Peter Mandelson. Pic: Reuters
Lord Mandelson stated: “He’s a charismatic, criminal liar we now see, and I regret very much indeed.
“I felt it like an albatross round my neck since his demise in 2018 or 2019, each time it was. I really feel an amazing sense of remorse.”
This regret, the diplomat said, is not only that he met Epstein in the first place, but that he “continued that affiliation” and took at “face worth the lies that he fed me”.
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From Could: Mandelson – ‘I want I by no means met Epstein’
The diplomat stated: “We know they’re going to come out, we know they’re going to be very embarrassing. And they know that I’m being profoundly to regret ever having met him and being introduced to him in the first place.
“However I am unable to rewrite historical past. What I can do is specific my profound sympathy for many who handled by him.”
His interview comes as additional allegations have been made by The Telegraph in a single day, claiming Epstein had brokered a cope with Lord Mandelson over the £1bn sale of a UK taxpayer-owned banking enterprise in 2010.
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Jeffrey Epstein. File pic: New York State Intercourse Offender Registry through AP
This was allegedly negotiated whereas Lord Mandelson was the enterprise secretary, and solely months after Epstein had been launched from jail.
It pertains to the sale of Sempra Commodities – a three way partnership between the Royal Financial institution of Scotland (RBS) and Sempra Vitality – to JP Morgan.
There are additionally allegations that Lord Mandelson stayed in Epstein’s New York house whereas he was in jail for soliciting a minor in 2008/9.
Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, stated there are questions for Lord Mandelson about his judgement.
Mr MacAlister stated: “He has said that he deeply regrets ever being introduced to Jeffrey Epstein. And who could blame him when you see the stories of what that man did.
“Peter is totally proper to say he deeply regrets ever being launched to him.”
Lord Mandelson and No 10 have each been contacted for touch upon the newest allegations.
