Starmer squirms at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch calls for to know why he did not converse to Mandelson about Epstein hyperlinks earlier than making him US ambassador

Keir Starmer squirmed today as he was berated for not asking Mandelson about his Epstein links before making him US ambassador.

The PM repeatedly refused to answer as he was challenged on failing to speak to the New Labour architect personally.

Instead, he delegated crucial questions about Mandelson’s friendship with the paedophile financier to aides. 

Kemi Badenoch took up the issue in the Commons this afternoon, after a trove of government papers were released just after the session last week. Sir Keir conceded that appointing Mandelson was ‘my mistake’ and repeated his apology to Epstein’s victims.

But he kept trying to change the subject, sparking laughter even from his own benches. 

‘This was my mistake in making the appointment, and I’ve apologised to the victims of Epstein, I do so again,’ the premier said. 

Keir Starmer repeatedly refused to answer as he was challenged on failing to speak to Mandelson personally before making him US ambassador

The PM is said to have left his aides to ask Mandelson (pictured in London this week) questions about his long-standing ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

‘The Government is complying with the humble address in full, but we are also continuing to support the police in their investigation.

‘The matter of process was looked at by the independent adviser on ministerial standards. It’s clear the appointment process wasn’t strong enough, and that’s why I’ve already strengthened it.

‘But it was my mistake, and I’ve apologised for it. She should follow suit and apologise for her gross error of judgment in calling for the UK to join the war in Iran without thinking through the consequences.’

Ms Badenoch persisted: ‘I know he doesn’t want to talk about the documents he tried to bury last week, he’s going to try and talk about anything else, but he’s not going to get away with it.

‘I asked him a question, he did not answer. We know the Prime Minister was warned about the risk of appointing Peter Mandelson. This is not about the process.

‘He knew that Mandelson stayed in Epstein’s house after Epstein had been convicted for child prostitution. He knew that. So I will ask him again, did he speak to Peter Mandelson about this before the appointment? Yes or no?’

The PM replied: ‘I’ve already made clear that he was asked questions and gave untruthful replies. 

‘The Government is complying with the humble address. the process has been set out, the independent adviser has looked at it, and he said, quote ”the relevant process for a political appointee was followed”.’

The dodging came despite the PM’s own spokesman having confirmed last week that Sir Keir did not speak to Mandelson directly before giving him the job.

‘The full process at the time of the appointment was followed,’ the spokesman said.

‘There is no requirement for a formal interview with the prime minister as part of that process.

‘The prime minister received advice on options surrounding the appointment, as well as due diligence advice in the usual way.

‘As you know the due diligence noted public reporting on Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

‘Questions were then put to Mandelson by advisers in No10.’

Last week the government released a first batch of documents on the vetting process, after being forced into transparency by the House of Commons. 

They showed Sir Keir was presented with a paper highlighted Mandelson’s ‘close’ links to Epstein before he was made the UK’s man in Washington in December 2024.

The top mandarin at the Foreign Office and national security adviser Jonathan Powell also expressed misgivings during the process.

A three-page ‘due diligence’ report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024 flagged the ties between Mandelson and Epstein

However, Sir Keir went ahead, after apparently agreeing with chief of staff Morgan McSweeney on three questions that Mandelson needed to be asked. 

No10 has said it cannot release details of those exchanges yet because of the ongoing police probe, but the documents suggest Director of Communications Matthew Doyle was ‘satisfied’ with the answers. 

Lord Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, having been accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary under Gordon Brown.

He was subsequently bailed, but later handed his passport back and freed under investigation. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing or acting for personal gain.