Keir Starmer has just delivered the most hollow apology in modern British politics, says Alex Armstrong

Mandelson told him he had visited and stayed at Epstein’s property before Epstein was convicted of sex trafficking underage girls.

That leaves only two logical conclusions: either the former Director of Public Prosecutions did not consider that a red flag, or he was completely blindsided by Mandelson.

Neither option suggests sound judgment from a man meant to lead this once-great country.

Then there’s Starmer’s apparent attempt to play the victim today, both during and after the apology.

He said: "It has been known publicly for some time that they knew each other. That is precisely why those questions were asked.

"The answers given to those questions were intentionally intended to create the impression that Mandelson barely knew him.”

Pay attention to that phrasing: “intentionally intended to create the impression”. It’s a very strange way of answering the question.

Put simply, the Prime Minister once again did not deny that he knew about the Mandelson–Epstein relationship, nor did he deny knowing Mandelson had stayed with Epstein.

Instead, he attempted to shift the blame for his own lack of judgment onto Mandelson.

We’re not stupid, Prime Minister and neither are GB News viewers.

This contrast should make people furious. Thousands of grooming gang victims are still waiting for something far more meaningful than a clipped, tactical apology delivered at a political event.

Years of abuse, years of institutional failure, years of alleged cover-ups and still no full national reckoning.

Yet when his own position comes under pressure, the Prime Minister suddenly discovers contrition.

Remember when campaigners called for a national inquiry into Pakistani grooming gangs?

He dismissed it as “jumping on the bandwagon of the far right”. Remember that.

So this is no longer just about Mandelson. It’s about credibility. It’s about judgment.

And it’s about whether Labour MPs are prepared to continue defending the indefensible. Because right now, vast swathes of the country simply do not believe a word the Prime Minister says.

And to borrow a phrase: you don’t need it to be Christmas to know when you’re sitting next to a turkey.

Finally, Prime Minister, if you’re going to apologise to the nation, here’s some advice: put on a proper suit, do up your tie and sing the national anthem. As ever.