Lord Mandelson refuses to apologise to Jeffrey Epstein's victims

Lord Peter Mandelson told the BBC he will not apologise for remaining in contact with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction, saying he did not know about Epstein's sexual crimes and that he regrets a system that did not protect victims.

Lord Peter Mandelson has said he will not apologise to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for remaining friends with the financier after Epstein's 2008 conviction. The comments were made in his first television interview since he was sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US over his ties to Epstein. Mandelson described his continuing contact as "misplaced loyalty" and said he did not know about Epstein's sexual crimes. He also expressed regret for what he called a system that did not listen to or protect women. Known points: - Lord Mandelson refused to apologise directly to Epstein's victims and instead apologised for a system that he says failed them. - He was sacked last year as the UK's ambassador to the US after emails about his contact with Epstein were published. - The published emails showed supportive messages Mandelson sent to Epstein as Epstein faced jail in 2008. - Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges including soliciting a minor and was found dead in a US jail in 2019. Summary: Lord Mandelson reiterated that he did not know about Epstein's crimes and called his continued contact a mistake with serious consequences for his career. His dismissal followed publication of the emails; further developments or official proceedings related to this matter are undetermined at this time.