Starmer Confirms Mandelson ‘Lied Repeatedly’ Over Epstein Ties Amid Calls for Full Disclosure

LONDON (Azat TV) – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated in Parliament on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that Lord Peter Mandelson “lied repeatedly” about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the vetting process for his appointment as US ambassador. The dramatic admission came during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) and has intensified calls from opposition parties and some Labour MPs for the full release of all documents pertaining to Mandelson’s appointment, further questioning Starmer’s judgment in the matter.

Sir Keir expressed “regret” over the appointment, telling MPs, “Mandelson… betrayed our country, our parliament and my party.” He confirmed that the government would introduce legislation to remove Mandelson’s peerage and is also moving to strip him of his position on the Privy Council. The Prime Minister added that material related to the case had been referred to the police, signaling a potential criminal investigation.

Starmer’s Regret and Mandelson’s Alleged Deceit

The controversy erupted following the release of files by the US Department of Justice last Friday, which reportedly indicated that Lord Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown’s administration during the 2008 financial crisis. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on these revelations during PMQs, directly challenging Sir Keir Starmer’s judgment.

Crucially, Sir Keir confirmed that the official security vetting process did flag Mandelson’s ongoing contact with Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child offenses. When questioned by Ms. Badenoch about this, Starmer replied, “Yes, it did. As a result, various questions were put to him.” He then stated that Mandelson responded to these questions with “lies.” This revelation suggests that the Prime Minister was aware of concerns regarding Mandelson’s ties to Epstein prior to the ambassadorial appointment, intensifying the political pressure on Downing Street.

Calls for Full Disclosure Amid Parliamentary Battle

The Conservatives are pushing for the complete release of all documents related to Mandelson’s appointment, including communications between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, regarding Epstein. They plan to use an arcane parliamentary mechanism – a humble address – to compel the government to produce these files. The government, in turn, has offered a more limited release, tabling an amendment to the Tory motion, citing national security concerns.

However, this stance has been met with resistance, even from within Labour ranks. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner intervened in the debate, supporting the Tory demands for full disclosure and suggesting all documents be reviewed by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to determine national security appropriateness. Labour MP John McDonnell, a former Shadow Chancellor, also announced he would rebel against the government’s amendment, arguing that attempts to exclude papers on grounds of “prejudicial to international relations” could lead to a “cover-up” and open the Prime Minister to accusations of collusion, as reported by The Independent and The Guardian.

Wider Allegations and Questions on Starmer’s Judgment

Beyond the Epstein links, further allegations have surfaced, adding complexity to the scandal. Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart raised concerns about Mandelson’s alleged involvement with Palantir, a company in which he was a shareholder and which subsequently won a £240 million government contract. Mr. Burghart demanded communications related to an “off-diary meeting” Mandelson allegedly arranged between Palantir and Sir Keir Starmer during an official visit to Washington D.C. He also referred to a report in The New Statesman indicating that a due diligence report on Mandelson, prior to his ambassadorship, highlighted potential conflicts of interest surrounding his lobbying firm, Global Counsel, particularly its Russian and Chinese links, and a section on Epstein.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey called for a public inquiry, stating that Epstein’s victims “deserve far better” and questioning whether Mandelson may have been leaking state secrets to Epstein and potentially a “Russian agent.” Sir Keir responded that the focus must remain on the criminal investigation and that the government would cooperate.

Conservative MPs also broadened their critique of Sir Keir’s judgment, with MP Charlie Dewhirst questioning the Prime Minister’s past association with disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner, who was debarred for professional misconduct and convicted of fraud. Sir Keir denied having “anything to do with Phil Shiner” once wrongdoing was apparent.

The Prime Minister staunchly defended his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, whom Kemi Badenoch described as “a protégé of Peter Mandelson” and accused of injecting “Mandelson’s poison into the heart of his Government.” Sir Keir affirmed McSweeney as “an essential part of my team,” crediting him with helping to “change the Labour Party and win an election.”

The unfolding scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment and his links to Jeffrey Epstein represents a significant challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s government, testing its transparency and accountability, especially given the Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of prior knowledge regarding Mandelson’s ongoing ties to Epstein. The parliamentary maneuvering and internal party dissent suggest this issue will continue to dominate the political agenda, demanding a clear resolution to restore public trust.