Keir Starmer has said he’s sorry to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and “sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies”
The PM was scheduled to speak about the “Pride in Place” strategy – but began his speech by addressing the Lord Mandelson scandal
He says he understands the “anger and frustration” of Labour MPs at his decision to appoint Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington in 2024
And the prime minister again accuses Mandelson of lying during the vetting process, saying he gave the impression he “barely knew” the disgraced financier
This feels like a prime minister scrapping for his future, his back against the wall, writes political editor Chris Mason
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says it’s a “question of when, not if” Starmer goes – while a Labour MP says it’s “inevitable” Starmer will resign
Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment – the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain
