{"id":19011,"date":"2026-02-05T11:37:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=19011"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:37:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T11:37:48","slug":"keir-starmer-sorry-for-having-believed-mandelsons-lies-about-his-relationship-with-epstein-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=19011","title":{"rendered":"Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; has addressed the fallout from the &lt;strong&gt;Epstein&lt;\/strong&gt; scandal during a speech this morning in Hasting, East Sussex. He said that while &lt;strong&gt;Mandelson\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; relationship with Epstein was publicly known, \u201cnone of us knew the depth and darkness\u201d of it.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a149f837-7d40-4227-aa98-5ea92a7e095f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;25699ce7-e0fc-473c-94be-ed5295b7b789&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;Serious allegations and serious evidence has emerged concerning Mandelson\u2019s conduct, including his relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender. It had been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth or the darkness of that relationship. Information that was not known at the time of his appointment [as US ambassador].&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a0980ddd-e306-4c3a-9251-388cb1fa2cc8&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He apologised to Epstein\u2019s victims, saying:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b1b2c85e-7c7b-48cd-924d-8651d1ee764a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;\u201cI want to say this. I am sorry, sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies and appointed him and sorry that even now you\u2019re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;32ef1a12-6d87-4f3b-a2d1-12ab6bbf0811&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770290240000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.17\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770291172000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.32\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770290877000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.27&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer: 'None of us knew depth and darkness of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698479908f089080a315fa98&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Prime minister &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; will be taking questions imminently following a speech he is giving this morning in Hastings, East Sussex.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fc027411-74a2-46a6-83e0-fa24e03924d9&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He is talking about the government\u2019s Pride in Place programme but I suspect the vast majority of questions will be about Mandeleson.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d147187e-d479-413e-9fe2-106e8f9664fc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Stay tuned as we bring you the top news lines\u2026&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7551f18c-f794-48b6-bed1-9a20eae3f090&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770289552000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.05\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770289877000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.11\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770289826000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.10\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.10&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Starmer about to take questions following speech in East Sussex&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69846a158f08ec37e23a692a&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;After the release of a vast tranche of documents and emails that shed further light on the close relationship between &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\\&quot;&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/strong&gt;, the government has come under intense pressure to release details about its vetting process before Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador in December 2024.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;580ef785-1e21-4f4a-b89f-16469e47e688&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Below, we look at how much &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; knew about Mandelson\u2019s relationship with Epstein, and what vetting process the former peer went through for the top diplomatic job in Washington.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;20eb93e4-583c-4657-894c-fb0d4097095f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How much did Starmer really know about Mandelson\u2019s ties to Epstein?&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;c74c5ef6-6c91-4a54-b524-36f5f0b2d612&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/04\/how-was-mandelson-vetted-role-ambassador-what-did-starmer-know-epstein-explainer&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770285589000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770289364000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.02\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770289364000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;11.02\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;11.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;How much did Starmer really know about Mandelson\u2019s ties to Epstein?&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Alexandra Topping&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra-Topping.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=46a47b05008d3c79d1bb3a4aecb1c1ef&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra_Topping,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f28ec5904139b3ab45f71c704fb56e53&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;A parliamentary committee looking into the appointment of &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; as US ambassador and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender &lt;strong&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/strong&gt; will not be afraid to publish material that is embarrassing to the government, its chair has said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1033dcf1-6cb8-4dcc-aff3-6820386d8832&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lord Beamish&lt;\/strong&gt;, who leads parliament\u2019s &lt;strong&gt;intelligence and security committee (ISC)&lt;\/strong&gt;, said there had to be \u201cmaximum transparency\u201d about the vetting process Mandelson went through before he was appointed ambassador to the US in December 2024 and what the government knew about his friendship with Epstein.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;44854ba5-4ced-4028-887e-108adbc45fa7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The ISC, which has statutory responsibility for oversight of the UK\u2019s intelligence services will assess whether documents should not be released because they compromise national security, rather than jeopardising international relations, the Labour peer told BBC Radio 4\u2019s The World Tonight.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5ecb7239-6fe3-4d68-85f5-24b51758c3e7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Beamish said it was possible the committee could publish documents that impacted international relations. \u201cIn the past, for example, we\u2019ve had disputes where things have potentially been embarrassing to governments, but we\u2019ve put them in because it doesn\u2019t jeopardise national security,\u201d he said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;2725c214-bc10-41fb-be34-4cae1ef7de51&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;163b10c2-c15d-40a8-90aa-993373a35e5c&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/mandelson-files-intelligence-and-security-committee-starmer-labour&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770286523000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.15\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770288055000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770288055000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.40\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.40&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Alexandra Topping&quot;,&quot;imageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra-Topping.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=46a47b05008d3c79d1bb3a4aecb1c1ef&quot;,&quot;largeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra_Topping,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f28ec5904139b3ab45f71c704fb56e53&quot;}],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698470758f081ca0692da39e&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Reform UK leader &lt;strong&gt;Nigel Farage&lt;\/strong&gt; says the scandal involving &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; and paedophile &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/a&gt; is &lt;strong&gt;\u201cthe biggest scandal in British politics for over one century\u201d&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;62362bb7-93c8-4b7f-a3b1-4b8bf8e377dc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Speaking at an event at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Farage said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;3d729f91-c23f-4718-840c-cc02fa1eb54a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It isn\u2019t just some sort of Partygate but a bit bigger.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;This involves sex, it involves money, it involves the royal family. It involves the leaking of market sensitive, confidential information.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;I suspect its pretty close, in many ways, to breaching the Official Secrets Act. This is far bigger than the Profumo scandal 60 years ago. 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UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a speech during a rally at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a speech during a rally at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Farage also said he believed Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff for prime minister &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/a&gt;, would be \u201cgone pretty quickly\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;d6293da4-a480-4e8c-a06f-aab2b361c395&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cI don\u2019t know how long Starmer will last as PM,\u201d he said. \u201cIndeed, I\u2019m very worried about it. I want him to stay forever.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5d1cbd97-97a2-4fd9-8f28-494c1a06036f&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770287221000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.27\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770287454000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770287454000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;10.30\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;10.30&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage: Mandelson scandal 'the biggest in British politics for over a century'&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The prime minister and his chief of staff &lt;strong&gt;Morgan McSweeney&lt;\/strong&gt; are safe in their jobs, &lt;strong&gt;Steve Reed&lt;\/strong&gt; insisted.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;928a3b8b-7b13-4efb-a5db-cd5e3876a76f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Asked whether &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer\u2019s&lt;\/strong&gt; position is secure, the housing secretary told BBC Breakfast: \u201cOf course it is.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;b17e8853-f75f-47a9-bed1-49aefbec776d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;On Sky News, he was pressed on whether McSweeney is safe in his role, after being blamed by many Labour MPs for pushing for the appointment of his ally &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\\&quot; data-component=\\&quot;auto-linked-tag\\&quot;&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/a&gt; as UK ambassador to the US in 2024.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a40cd6e3-e8ab-4442-b5d3-4b91023804de&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Reed answered: \u201cYes, of course he is.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;709c328e-fbfd-499f-8d4c-a7b1ed3d8f58&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770284850000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.47\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770285568000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770285569000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.59\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.59&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;'Of course' Starmer and McSweeney are safe in their jobs, says Reed&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;69845d408f08837ebb40921f&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Hello and welcome to the UK politics blog.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;0c4b47f7-fe96-4ae5-b620-824552f7f8c3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;After fierce criticism of in the Commons last night over the &lt;strong&gt;Peter Mandelson&lt;\/strong&gt; scandal, the prime minister\u2019s housing secretary has been out defending &lt;strong&gt;Keir Starmer&lt;\/strong&gt; in the media this morning.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;097509ca-1c7f-4af4-913d-a6e0b9291227&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steve Reed&lt;\/strong&gt;, a Starmer loyalist, insisted that &lt;strong&gt;Mandelson \u201cconned everybody\u201d&lt;\/strong&gt; over his ongoing relationship with the convicted paedophile &lt;strong&gt;Jeffrey Epstein&lt;\/strong&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;14a8619d-8b00-439e-9ac5-103c16367c34&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;He told Sky News:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;427f298b-4ecf-41ae-ba17-e2f982cea92d&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;The person at fault here is not the prime minister or his team.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;It is Peter Mandelson who lied, manipulated and deceived everybody, including the media, actually, because he was on the media an awful lot as well. He conned everybody.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;What matters is what you do when you find out what\u2019s gone wrong. And the prime minister couldn\u2019t have been more decisive. He sacked Peter Mandelson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago.&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;56be80ac-e89b-4f78-8a66-d5ca44d03d1c&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It comes as &lt;strong&gt;Labour MPs warned last night that Starmer\u2019s days are numbered&lt;\/strong&gt;. The government was left on the brink of a defeat in the Commons until a mid-debate amendment brokered by &lt;strong&gt;Meg Hillier&lt;\/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Angela Rayner&lt;\/strong&gt; to force the release of documents about Mandelson\u2019s appointment and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a9d0028f-7fd5-4b6d-a65c-fa25f6e7a29a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;MPs said the eventual release of the documents \u2013 which may be delayed by a police investigation into Mandelson \u2013 could trigger a leadership challenge. \u201cWe need all the poison to come out,\u201d one MP said.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;4c1ebfe9-b1ef-416c-85f1-771334dfe471&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;One former minister said: \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of bad days recently, but this is the worst yet, I think,\u201d while another MP warned: \u201cTrust is finite. I\u2019m personally not sure I could trust myself to back the prime minister in a confidence vote.\u201d&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a43df05a-40fe-4b2a-b54d-6fc008721ed7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;\u201cThe most terminal mood is among the super-loyal,\u201d an MP from the 2024 intake noted.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;5a2a557c-9a53-4041-9994-7c37470d3cb6&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1770284850000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.47\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1770284506000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.41\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1770284850000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.47\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.47&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mandelson 'conned everybody' including Keir Starmer, says housing secretary&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Thu 5 Feb 2026 11.32 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Thu 5 Feb 2026 09.47 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1770291468558}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer: &#8216;None of us knew depth and darkness of Mandelson&#8217;s relationship with Epstein&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Starmer<\/strong> has addressed the fallout from the <strong>Epstein<\/strong> scandal during a speech this morning in Hasting, East Sussex. He said that while <strong>Mandelson\u2019s<\/strong> relationship with Epstein was publicly known, \u201cnone of us knew the depth and darkness\u201d of it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>Serious allegations and serious evidence has emerged concerning Mandelson\u2019s conduct, including his relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender. It had been publicly known for some time that Mandelson knew Epstein, but none of us knew the depth or the darkness of that relationship. Information that was not known at the time of his appointment [as US ambassador].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He apologised to Epstein\u2019s victims, saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>\u201cI want to say this. I am sorry, sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies and appointed him and sorry that even now you\u2019re forced to watch this story unfold in public once again.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6#block-69847c408f0843c94d97a4b6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-05T11:32:52.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.32 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698479908f089080a315fa98\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Starmer about to take questions following speech in East Sussex<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Prime minister <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> will be taking questions imminently following a speech he is giving this morning in Hastings, East Sussex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He is talking about the government\u2019s Pride in Place programme but I suspect the vast majority of questions will be about Mandeleson.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Stay tuned as we bring you the top news lines\u2026<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698479908f089080a315fa98&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698479908f089080a315fa98&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698479908f089080a315fa98#block-698479908f089080a315fa98\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-05T11:11:17.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.11 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698475608f081f60bec29a07\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Karl Turner<\/strong>, the Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, said the mood among backbenchers was the angriest he\u2019d seen in 16 years and that <strong>Starmer<\/strong> had to sack <strong>McSweeney<\/strong> as chief of staff in order to survive the fury of his party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He told Times Radio:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>If the prime minister decides that he has to be surrounded by advisers who give him shoddy advice, I think the reality of that will end in the prime minister having to be making a decision about his future at some point soon.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t want to be telling the PM who he\u2019s entitled to have an as adviser \u2026 If McSweeney continues in No 10 Downing Street, I think the PM is up against it in a way that he doesn\u2019t need to be.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698475608f081f60bec29a07&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698475608f081f60bec29a07&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698475608f081f60bec29a07#block-698475608f081f60bec29a07\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-05T11:10:03.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time\">11.10 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69846a158f08ec37e23a692a\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">How much did Starmer really know about Mandelson\u2019s ties to Epstein?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra_Topping,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f28ec5904139b3ab45f71c704fb56e53\" alt=\"Alexandra Topping\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Alexandra Topping<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After the release of a vast tranche of documents and emails that shed further light on the close relationship between <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a><\/strong>, the government has come under intense pressure to release details about its vetting process before Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador in December 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Below, we look at how much <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> knew about Mandelson\u2019s relationship with Epstein, and what vetting process the former peer went through for the top diplomatic job in Washington.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"34bbfe5b-6e0d-48e5-9bd1-e5914cd91595\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:2,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How much did Starmer really know about Mandelson\u2019s ties to Epstein?&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;34bbfe5b-6e0d-48e5-9bd1-e5914cd91595&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/04\/how-was-mandelson-vetted-role-ambassador-what-did-starmer-know-epstein-explainer&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846a158f08ec37e23a692a&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846a158f08ec37e23a692a&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846a158f08ec37e23a692a#block-69846a158f08ec37e23a692a\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698473ec8f089f4d83968dfa\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Back to that <strong>Reform UK<\/strong> press conference in <strong>Newport, Wales<\/strong>, for a moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Welsh-born former London council leader <strong>Dan Thomas<\/strong> has been unveiled by <strong>Nigel Farage<\/strong> as the leader of Reform UK in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Thomas, who grew up in Wales, was the Conservative leader of Barnet Council from 2019 to 2022 but joined Reform UK last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End in December after returning to Wales with his family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, the former Conservative <strong>James Evans<\/strong> has been unveiled as the latest defector to Reform UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The current Senedd member for Brecon and Radnorshire was sacked by the Tories last month over suspicions he was planning to defect to Nigel Farage\u2019s party and has since sat as an independent.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"c3cc5b28-fcd4-412c-9115-2681fb8e279c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Former Conservative politician James Evans who has been unveiled by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (left) as the latest defector to Reform UK before the Senedd elections in Wales in May.<\/span> Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698473ec8f089f4d83968dfa&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698473ec8f089f4d83968dfa&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698473ec8f089f4d83968dfa#block-698473ec8f089f4d83968dfa\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair<\/h2>\n<div class=\"dcr-dzkvsd\">\n<div class=\"dcr-uae6pk\"><img src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra_Topping,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f28ec5904139b3ab45f71c704fb56e53\" alt=\"Alexandra Topping\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-sa35sa\">Alexandra Topping<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A parliamentary committee looking into the appointment of <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> as US ambassador and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender <strong>Jeffrey Epstein<\/strong> will not be afraid to publish material that is embarrassing to the government, its chair has said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Lord Beamish<\/strong>, who leads parliament\u2019s <strong>intelligence and security committee (ISC)<\/strong>, said there had to be \u201cmaximum transparency\u201d about the vetting process Mandelson went through before he was appointed ambassador to the US in December 2024 and what the government knew about his friendship with Epstein.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The ISC, which has statutory responsibility for oversight of the UK\u2019s intelligence services will assess whether documents should not be released because they compromise national security, rather than jeopardising international relations, the Labour peer told BBC Radio 4\u2019s The World Tonight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Beamish said it was possible the committee could publish documents that impacted international relations. \u201cIn the past, for example, we\u2019ve had disputes where things have potentially been embarrassing to governments, but we\u2019ve put them in because it doesn\u2019t jeopardise national security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"02755b9e-61f7-4002-ac15-714dd9bac840\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:4,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;02755b9e-61f7-4002-ac15-714dd9bac840&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/feb\/05\/mandelson-files-intelligence-and-security-committee-starmer-labour&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943#block-69846dbb8f08ec37e23a6943\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69846f998f081ca0692da390\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>John McDonnell<\/strong> has added his voice to the growing dissent among Labour MPs, as he questioned why senior party figures did not challenge Starmer at the time of Mandelson\u2019s appointment as US ambassador.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWhy weren\u2019t they standing up, speaking out? This is about more than Keir\u2019s judgment, it\u2019s a collective failure of all Labour leadership,\u201d McDonnell, who was shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn, posted on X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI believe Keir is a responsible person and will want to consider whether in the interests of the country and party he should continue as PM. But simply replacing him with someone who stayed silent at the critical time won\u2019t restore confidence in the party or politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington suggested for a caretaker leader to be appointed for a limited time period \u201cto undertake a cleansing of our party and politics before we elect a new leader\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"37d6dcf7-fbfb-42fb-9759-051a89a3474c\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">John McDonnell speaking at a rally at The Emmanuel Centre in London in January.<\/span> Photograph: Leon Neal\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846f998f081ca0692da390&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846f998f081ca0692da390&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846f998f081ca0692da390#block-69846f998f081ca0692da390\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-698470758f081ca0692da39e\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Farage: Mandelson scandal &#8216;the biggest in British politics for over a century&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Reform UK leader <strong>Nigel Farage<\/strong> says the scandal involving <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> and paedophile <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/jeffrey-epstein\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jeffrey Epstein<\/a> is <strong>\u201cthe biggest scandal in British politics for over one century\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speaking at an event at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Farage said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>It isn\u2019t just some sort of Partygate but a bit bigger.<\/p>\n<p>This involves sex, it involves money, it involves the royal family. It involves the leaking of market sensitive, confidential information.<\/p>\n<p>I suspect its pretty close, in many ways, to breaching the Official Secrets Act. This is far bigger than the Profumo scandal 60 years ago. This is the biggest scandal in British politics for over one century.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"58126c68-40b8-493d-81a4-8cf92eb44982\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a speech during a rally at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.<\/span> Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Farage also said he believed Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff for prime minister <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/keir-starmer\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Keir Starmer<\/a>, would be \u201cgone pretty quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI don\u2019t know how long Starmer will last as PM,\u201d he said. \u201cIndeed, I\u2019m very worried about it. I want him to stay forever.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698470758f081ca0692da39e&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698470758f081ca0692da39e&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698470758f081ca0692da39e#block-698470758f081ca0692da39e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69846c048f089f4d83968da6\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Sacking Downing Street chief of staff <strong>Morgan McSweeney<\/strong> would not help the prime minister, according to Keir Starmer\u2019s former director of strategic communications.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>James Lyons<\/strong>, who left No 10 in September, told Sky News this morning:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>In every administration there are figures who are lightning rods for criticism. That is definitely one of the many roles that Morgan plays at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s unclear to me how it would help the prime minister if he lost Morgan. At a time like this, when you\u2019re in this kind of spot, you want your most capable and most loyal aides around you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"f70e378b-f8b5-44a7-b941-cd6275e5d313\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Morgan McSweeney seen walking in Downing Street, London, England, United Kingdom, 16 July 2024.<\/span> Photograph: Tayfun Salc?\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">McSweeney is perceived to have been close to <strong>Mandelson<\/strong> and a key ally in his successful bid to become the UK\u2019s ambassador to the United States.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846c048f089f4d83968da6&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846c048f089f4d83968da6&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846c048f089f4d83968da6#block-69846c048f089f4d83968da6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69846b0b8f089f4d83968da2\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, <strong>Reed<\/strong> blamed the vetting process for failing to flag up the extent of <strong>Mandelson\u2019s<\/strong> relationship with <strong>Epstein<\/strong> before his appointment to the US ambassadorship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He told BBC Radio 4\u2019s Today programme:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The fault is with a long-established process that was gone through in the same way that it would have been for any other appointment of this kind, and it predates the arrival of this government.<\/p>\n<p>Clearly, we need to look at that vetting process. But decisions can only be taken on the basis of the information available at the time, and Mandelson lied and covered up the extent of his relationship.<\/p>\n<p>He made out the relationship was over and that it had barely ever existed.<\/p>\n<p>We now know that was not the case, but the decision was taken at the time on the basis of Mandelson\u2019s experience as the former EU trade commissioner and UK business secretary. This information, had it have been known, would have ruled him out completely.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Earlier this morning, Reed told Sky News that the revelations about Mandelson\u2019s relationship with Epstein had felt like he had \u201cbeen punched in the stomach\u201d.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846b0b8f089f4d83968da2&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846b0b8f089f4d83968da2&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846b0b8f089f4d83968da2#block-69846b0b8f089f4d83968da2\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-69846ac08f08ec37e23a6935\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> believed <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> when he made out his relationship with paedophile <strong>Jeffrey Epstein<\/strong> \u201cwas next to nothing,\u201d Steve Reed went on to say.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cYou\u2019re only as good as the information you receive,\u201d the cabinet minister told LBC Radio. \u201c<strong>Mandelson made out that relationship barely existed<\/strong>, that they hardly knew each other.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThere was a vetting process that included the security forces as well, and they flagged up no additional concerns&#8230; a liar is going to lie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Reed said the government wants to publish documents that show \u201cwhat the prime minister saw when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Peter Mandelson<\/a> lied to him\u201d before his appointment as ambassador to Washington \u201cas quickly as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe need to look at the documents that will show the extent to which Peter Mandelson was lying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69846ac08f08ec37e23a6935&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69846ac08f08ec37e23a6935&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69846ac08f08ec37e23a6935#block-69846ac08f08ec37e23a6935\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">&#8216;Of course&#8217; Starmer and McSweeney are safe in their jobs, says Reed<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The prime minister and his chief of staff <strong>Morgan McSweeney<\/strong> are safe in their jobs, <strong>Steve Reed<\/strong> insisted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked whether <strong>Keir Starmer\u2019s<\/strong> position is secure, the housing secretary told BBC Breakfast: \u201cOf course it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Sky News, he was pressed on whether McSweeney is safe in his role, after being blamed by many Labour MPs for pushing for the appointment of his ally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/peter-mandelson\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Peter Mandelson<\/a> as UK ambassador to the US in 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Reed answered: \u201cYes, of course he is.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94#block-698460f28f08f41ef25e6c94\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"block-69845d408f08837ebb40921f\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Mandelson &#8216;conned everybody&#8217; including Keir Starmer, says housing secretary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Hello and welcome to the UK politics blog.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After fierce criticism of in the Commons last night over the <strong>Peter Mandelson<\/strong> scandal, the prime minister\u2019s housing secretary has been out defending <strong>Keir Starmer<\/strong> in the media this morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Steve Reed<\/strong>, a Starmer loyalist, insisted that <strong>Mandelson \u201cconned everybody\u201d<\/strong> over his ongoing relationship with the convicted paedophile <strong>Jeffrey Epstein<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He told Sky News:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg>The person at fault here is not the prime minister or his team.<\/p>\n<p>It is Peter Mandelson who lied, manipulated and deceived everybody, including the media, actually, because he was on the media an awful lot as well. He conned everybody.<\/p>\n<p>What matters is what you do when you find out what\u2019s gone wrong. And the prime minister couldn\u2019t have been more decisive. He sacked Peter Mandelson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It comes as <strong>Labour MPs warned last night that Starmer\u2019s days are numbered<\/strong>. The government was left on the brink of a defeat in the Commons until a mid-debate amendment brokered by <strong>Meg Hillier<\/strong> and <strong>Angela Rayner<\/strong> to force the release of documents about Mandelson\u2019s appointment and the depth of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">MPs said the eventual release of the documents \u2013 which may be delayed by a police investigation into Mandelson \u2013 could trigger a leadership challenge. \u201cWe need all the poison to come out,\u201d one MP said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">One former minister said: \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of bad days recently, but this is the worst yet, I think,\u201d while another MP warned: \u201cTrust is finite. I\u2019m personally not sure I could trust myself to back the prime minister in a confidence vote.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe most terminal mood is among the super-loyal,\u201d an MP from the 2024 intake noted.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-69845d408f08837ebb40921f&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-69845d408f08837ebb40921f&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Keir Starmer \u2018sorry for having believed Mandelson\u2019s lies\u2019 about his relationship with Epstein \u2013 UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69845d408f08837ebb40921f#block-69845d408f08837ebb40921f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<p><gu-island name=\"LiveBlogEpic\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;politics&quot;,&quot;shouldHideReaderRevenue&quot;:false,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/series\/politics-live-with-andrew-sparrow&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Series&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics live with Andrew Sparrow&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Politics&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;uk\/uk&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/keir-starmer&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Keir Starmer&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;politics\/peter-mandelson&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Peter Mandelson&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;us-news\/jeffrey-epstein&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jeffrey Epstein&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type\/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/minutebyminute&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Minute by minute&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone\/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/tom-ambrose&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Tom Ambrose&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/taz-ali&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Taz Ali&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;profile\/alexandratopping&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Contributor&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Alexandra Topping&quot;,&quot;bylineImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra-Topping.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=46a47b05008d3c79d1bb3a4aecb1c1ef&quot;,&quot;bylineLargeImageUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/uploads\/2018\/05\/02\/Alexandra_Topping,_L.png?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f28ec5904139b3ab45f71c704fb56e53&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking\/commissioningdesk\/uk-home-news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UK Home News&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;contributionsServiceUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/contributions.guardianapis.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/05\/peter-mandelson-keir-starmer-jeffrey-epstein-labour-updates-latest-news&quot;,&quot;keywordIds&quot;:&quot;politics\/politics,uk\/uk,politics\/keir-starmer,politics\/peter-mandelson,us-news\/jeffrey-epstein&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;}\"\/><\/div>\n<p>#Keir #Starmer #believed #Mandelsons #lies #relationship #Epstein #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key events Show key events onl&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19012,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19011"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19011\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}