On the Laura Kuensberg programme today, Mandelson refuses to apologise to victims of Rostein for continuing the friendship after Epstein’s conviction for sexual offences against a 14 year olc

I don't consider it necessary for Mandelson to apologise to Epstein's coterie of young women because I doubt he had anything to do with them, and as he appears to be a man entirely lacking moral judgement any apology would be worthless.

An apology should be made by whoever chose to appoint this disreputable, corrupt man as Ambassador to America, and I presume it was Starmer. He has been disgraced several times in his sordid past and found out yet again; what exactly is his special talent supposed to be? Some one said I think that he was able to talk the language Trump understands; is that a recommendation?
He remains to exert influence in the House of Lords and within the inner circle of Labour government, and shows no remorse about his connection , whatever it was, with Epstein, only for being found out.

Doodledog

I suppose he was given a platform as he was British Ambassador to the US at a time when the POTUS has got the world talking about the possibility of WW3.

That he would be asked about Epstein was inevitable, and I'm surprised he didn't have a better answer ready. He wriggled a lot, I thought. I don't know what he had to gain by not apologising. I never find public apologies particularly convincing anyway, but it would have cost him nothing to say he was very sorry to have been associated in any way with what has turned out to be a disgraceful episode etc etc. He could apologise without admitting anything. I can't think of a reason why he wouldn't, but there will probably turn out to be one. His career is over, so I can't see it being that he hopes to get a lucrative job - what else could it be, I wonder?

I think that’s a good comment, that it would have been better to say he was unaware of any wrong doing and counted Epstein as a friend but later realised what kind of man he was and was shocked.

Doodledog Sun 11-Jan-26 17:34:36 ✅️

True. But he didn't say that either.

We can't persecute people on the grounds of who their friends are, and this case (probably because of the enormity of it all) is showing a lot of that, I think.

Maybe he doesn't regret knowing Epstein.
Andrew MW couldn't express regret either, during his interview.
We just can't know.

I suppose he was given a platform as he was British Ambassador to the US at a time when the POTUS has got the world talking about the possibility of WW3.

That he would be asked about Epstein was inevitable, and I'm surprised he didn't have a better answer ready. He wriggled a lot, I thought. I don't know what he had to gain by not apologising. I never find public apologies particularly convincing anyway, but it would have cost him nothing to say he was very sorry to have been associated in any way with what has turned out to be a disgraceful episode etc etc. He could apologise without admitting anything. I can't think of a reason why he wouldn't, but there will probably turn out to be one. His career is over, so I can't see it being that he hopes to get a lucrative job - what else could it be, I wonder?

butterandjam

Epstein and Guiffre died, reputedly by suicide.

No wonder a lot of people involved with Epstein are keeping their mouths tight shut.

Hundreds of women have come forward saying they are victims. I think you’re putting two and two together and making five. You may be right, but conflating alleged suicides with victims not coming forward is a stretch.

Bridie22

I dont know Annie?!!

Exactly. But unlike other you are not trying to pretend you do!

Bridie22

Why was he in Epstiens properties if its wasnt for sexual activity?

Tea and biscuits for all we know. There must be criminals we are pleasant to know. If anyone is guilty that should he found by the courts.

I did listen to Mandelson this morning and he claims that the only females he saw at Epstein's house were middle aged housekeepers.

There's no evidence at all that boys were abused.
He is guilty of continuing a friendship with Epstein but he may not be as guilty as others who are still getting away with it.

Iam64

I’m much less worried about anyone advising the rich and famous how to get more rich and famous. I’m sure it’s happening all the time.

I’m very unhappy about rich, powerful men abusing children as yiung as 14

Well of course I'm unhappy about that Who wouldn't be? But unsure about the evidence.
And then others going on to assume oh well he must have been involved in the abuse of young men.

Not defending Mandelson, but Epstein had a lot of political connections and moniesd 'friends'.
Perhaps that was the draw for Mandelson?

Epstein and Guiffre died, reputedly by suicide.

No wonder a lot of people involved with Epstein are keeping their mouths tight shut.

butterandjam

It's clear from victim witnesses at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial that GM herself was sexually active with girls she recruited; encounters both with and without Epstein.

It would not be surprising if GM and Epstein also trafficked boys to gratify homosexual or bisexual party guests.

If that were the case, it’s just surprising that no male victims have come forward, and there has been nothing released about it, when surely it would further sensationalise the case, which is what has been happening with the other released information? I’m not defending Mandelson, but why would it be suppressed when so much has come out about the girls involved, and such a lot has come out about the other known British man involved?

That’s a good question Galaxy.

Galaxy 15.21 👍. He may or may not have been aware. He may not have been complicit or culpable as he claims. He might have been- who knows.

The key concern is he was asked by LK specifically whether he would like to apologise to E's victims for continuing his friendship with E after his first conviction- he apologised to the women for "the system that refused to hear their voices and did not give them the protection they were entitled to expect. That system gave him protection not them" etc etc. He did not apologise for continuing his friendship with Epstein following his first conviction and offering him his support.

As wily as ever, economical with the truth and he didn't answer the question. Have no idea why he was given air space on the programme.

Galaxy

Why is he being given a platform?

Why does he want a platform? The less he says now, the better, surely.

It's clear from victim witnesses at Ghislaine Maxwell's trial that GM herself was sexually active with girls she recruited; encounters both with and without Epstein.

It would not be surprising if GM and Epstein also trafficked boys to gratify homosexual or bisexual party guests.

Why is he being given a platform?

I’m much less worried about anyone advising the rich and famous how to get more rich and famous. I’m sure it’s happening all the time.

I’m very unhappy about rich, powerful men abusing children as yiung as 14

Genuinely not sure here. I think it's perfectly possible Epstein kept different activities separate, so it depends on reliable documentation as to where and when and context of how he was in contact with Epstein.

I certainly aren't happy as a LP member to see anyone advising the rich and famous to get more rich and famous however, cant see it happening today it would be in the press within hours as well as being morally wrong

Epstein was extremely powerful, his wealth was enormous and there seems to be no clear indication of how he amassed his fortune.
Fallingstar, it’s even worse. He believed Epstein had been wrongly convicted of sexual offences against a 14 year old girl. There were many more victims who were unable to be witnesses to that trial.
This nonsensical claim to have been unaware because he’s gay is just that, nonsense.
He should apologise unreservedly to the victims for his ignorance and cruelty. He’s taken not a jot of responsibility for his part in undermining ‘the system ‘ he says failed them. The same system he continued to believe had wrongly convicted his friend.

The whole Epstein issue is disgusting and those young women were let down badly.
I'm not condoning Mandelson but I feel there are worse men who have yet to be identified, if they ever are, than him.

He is gay so unlikely to have been involved with the girls but claiming he didn't know what was going on seems naive and I don't believe he is.

Maybe more will be revealed Casdon, when more files are published.

Epstein presented himself as a financial advisor to the very wealthy Bridie22, so he was running a business apart from his other activities. I don’t believe that as yet there has been anything published to suggest that Mandelson was involved in sexual activities at Epstein’s properties, but, like Iam64, I’m very sceptical that he was unaware of what was happening there.