Christopher Hope: ‘The four pressing questions Keir Starmer MUST answer about Lord Mandelson’

Sir Keir has said he has “confidence” in Lord Mandelson but Downing Street has evaded questions on how much he knew about Lord Mandelson’s association with Epstein at the time of his appointment.

Speaking on GB News, Christopher explained: “The Government is looking away.

“They’re just saying ‘we checked him out in January, nothing has changed’.

“What has changed is the depth of that friendship. The photographs. What are victims saying? The Government said today ‘the victims of Jeffrey Epstein are at the front of our minds’.

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“If that is the case, why is that guy in that role? Why is he not being challenged? Why is the Government not trying to understand how far it went and whether it’s appropriate for public money to be paying for his role in Washington?”

The ambassador has acknowledged that his association with the disgraced financier continued well beyond what was appropriate, expressing profound remorse for maintaining contact after criminal proceedings began.

Parliamentary voices have joined abuse survivors in demanding the ambassador's dismissal following the document release. One Labour MP, speaking anonymously, argued that the diplomat should prioritise Britain's international standing and voluntarily step aside, stating: "The easiest way round this for Mandelson is to step down. He should put the reputation of Britain abroad first."

Another parliamentarian suggested this would mark at least his third resignation, remarking: "He ought to resign. He knows how to stand down, after all. This would be the third time at least."

Sarah Ransome, who survived Epstein's abuse, insisted: "Something is really, really wrong here. Peter Mandelson should not be ambassador. He needs to be fired. He is unsuitable to be ambassador."

The diplomat told The Sun he "never saw any evidence of criminal activity" and noted that Epstein never attempted to introduce him to women, suggesting this might relate to his sexual orientation. He expressed deep sympathy for the victims whilst admitting he had accepted false reassurances about Epstein's Florida prosecution.

The ambassador described feeling tremendous regret not only for the initial acquaintance but particularly for sustaining the connection after learning of the criminal charges.

The Prime Minister has maintained his support for the ambassador despite growing political pressure. During parliamentary questions, he told MPs: "I have confidence in the ambassador in the role that he is doing."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged this position, describing it as "embarrassing" that the government continued backing someone who had conducted business with a convicted child sex offender whilst serving in government. She pressed for full disclosure of vetting documents and the ambassador's interests.

The Prime Minister responded that proper procedures had been followed during the appointment process, which included independent oversight. He declined to commit to publishing the vetting documentation, citing standard protocols.

Reports have emerged suggesting Epstein facilitated a billion-pound transaction involving a taxpayer-owned banking enterprise during the ambassador's tenure as Business Secretary, shortly after the financier's release from prison.