Business Secretary Peter Kyle defended the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador despite objections raised by the family of one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. Mandelson was dismissed by Keir Starmer following the exposure of leaked emails showing his support for Epstein during the financier’s legal troubles.
The victim, Virginia Giuffre, who tragically passed away earlier this year, alleged that she was sexually exploited by Epstein after being introduced to him by Ghislaine Maxwell at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2000. Giuffre also claimed that Epstein introduced her to Prince Andrew in 2001, leading to multiple instances of abuse.
Despite vehement denials by Prince Andrew, he settled out of court with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting to any wrongdoing. While there is no evidence suggesting that Mandelson ever met Giuffre, her family strongly criticized his appointment as US ambassador.
In response to criticism, Mandelson’s family members expressed their dismay over the lack of accountability for powerful individuals like Mandelson who maintain their status and titles without facing consequences. They emphasized that the spotlight should be on holding such figures responsible rather than survivors continually having to expose past wrongdoings.
Questions have been raised about Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson, as it was revealed that the Prime Minister was unaware of the contents of the emails until after the appointment. Mandelson’s association with Epstein was flagged in a vetting file provided to the PM, prompting inquiries about his interactions with Epstein post-conviction.
Despite Mandelson’s claims of transparency regarding his ties to Epstein, sources from No 10 indicated that he had been less than forthcoming in his responses. Following further vetting by the Foreign Office, concerns persist about Mandelson’s suitability for the diplomatic role.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle defended Mandelson’s appointment, citing his exceptional abilities as justification for taking the risk. Kyle clarified that two vetting processes had uncovered publicly available information, leading to the decision to proceed with the appointment based on Mandelson’s expertise. However, the emergence of undisclosed emails has since altered the circumstances surrounding the appointment.
