Starmer tried to close the Epstein chapter with an apology, but anger inside Labour is growing

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a public apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging what he described as a serious mistake in appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington. As reported by Politico Europe, the apology comes amid renewed scrutiny following recent document releases tied to the Epstein case.

Starmer’s remarks were delivered during a visit to the seaside town of Hastings in southern England. Addressing survivors directly, the prime minister said he was sorry for believing Mandelson’s assurances and for the renewed public attention the appointment had brought to a painful chapter.

Mandelson had already been dismissed from the role last September after details emerged about the extent of his relationship with Epstein. Starmer said his government would not allow powerful figures to evade accountability and pledged that justice would not be treated as optional.

The apology failed to ease mounting pressure within Labour

Despite the apology, tensions have continued to rise within Starmer’s own party. Many Labour MPs have expressed anger over how Mandelson came to be appointed in the first place and are now directing their criticism toward the prime minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. Around the same time, there was also coverage of another Epstein file dispute involving media figures.

Several MPs believe McSweeney played a central role in advocating for Mandelson’s appointment and are calling for his removal from No 10. Veteran Labour MP Karl Turner said Starmer should remove advisers who gave what he described as terrible advice, arguing that keeping McSweeney in place creates unnecessary political strain.

Starmer’s allies have pushed back strongly against those calls. Communities Secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of McSweeney, said the chief of staff’s position is secure and rejected suggestions that blame should fall on the prime minister’s team. Debate around enforcement and public trust has been part of a broader national conversation on law and community policing, including discussion of ICE and trust issues in US Target communities.

Reed said responsibility lies solely with Mandelson, accusing him of lying and deceiving those around him. With the apology issued but internal criticism intensifying, Starmer now faces growing pressure over whether to stand by his senior advisers or make further changes to contain unrest within Labour.