Peter Mandelson declines to apologise for association with Jeffrey Epstein

Peter Mandelson said he will not apologise to Jeffrey Epstein's victims but apologised for a system that ignored their voices; he was sacked as UK ambassador after emails showing his support for Epstein were released.

Peter Mandelson has said he will not apologise to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for remaining friends with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction. He told the BBC he was sorry for "a system" that failed to hear victims' voices and said he paid a personal price for the association. Mandelson was removed as UK ambassador to the United States after emails emerged showing his support for Epstein. He described his continued support as a mistake and said he was not culpable for Epstein's actions. Known details: - Mandelson declined to apologise directly to Epstein's victims but apologised for a system that he said ignored their voices. - He was sacked as UK ambassador after No 10 said it had been unaware of emails in which Mandelson wrote to Epstein urging resilience and suggesting the 2008 conviction could be challenged. - Mandelson said he continued to support Epstein out of "misplaced loyalty" and called that support a "most terrible mistake" on his part. - He said he did not know of Epstein's criminal conduct and said he would apologise only if he were found to have been complicit or culpable. - Documents released by US congressional members included a handwritten note in which Mandelson called Epstein "my best pal." Summary: Officials say No 10 was unaware of Mandelson's emails and his appointment as ambassador was ended after the emails came to light. Mandelson has publicly expressed regret for the system that ignored victims and has said he was not culpable for Epstein's crimes. He has also said he understands why he was sacked and will not seek to relitigate the matter. Undetermined at this time.