{"id":1894015,"date":"2026-04-20T16:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894015"},"modified":"2026-04-20T16:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:08:36","slug":"uk-pm-starmer-admits-mandelson-envoy-appointment-was-a-mistake-amid-epstein-row","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894015","title":{"rendered":"UK PM Starmer admits Mandelson envoy appointment was a mistake amid Epstein row"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/89\/16\/1200x675_cmsv2_7541a876-c6bb-53c3-a9f1-69ef56ad67bd-9728916.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            UK PM Starmer admits Mandelson envoy appointment was a mistake amid Epstein row<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/89\/16\/1536x864_cmsv2_7541a876-c6bb-53c3-a9f1-69ef56ad67bd-9728916.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, 20 April, 2026 \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Britain&#8217;s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, 20 April, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspGavin Blackburn\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776701316\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-20 18:08:36 +02:00\">20\/04\/2026 &#8211; 18:08 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" 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u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        UK police are investigating allegations of misconduct in office by Mandelson, 72, when he was a Labour minister more than 15 years ago. He was arrested and released in February.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he had been wrong to appoint Labour politician Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to Washington, seeking to quell anger over a scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s long-time associate.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Starmer, whose popularity with the British public and many MPs in his own centre-left Labour Party has slumped, has also struggled to manage a controversy that threatens to bring down his leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Addressing parliament about the deepening political row, Starmer said: &#8220;At the heart of this, there is also a judgment I made that was wrong. I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He faced fresh calls to quit last week after it was revealed that Mandelson, whose friendship with the late disgraced New York financier was long known, had become Britain&#8217;s envoy to Washington last year despite failing security checks.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer has insisted that he and other ministers were not told until last week that Mandelson had failed the independent vetting process.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/89\/16\/808x539_cmsv2_67fb4a9d-bf86-5259-bd34-05be2222ccbf-9728916.jpg\" alt=\"Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, 20 April, 2026 \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Britain&#8217;s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, 20 April, 2026 <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It beggars belief that throughout the whole timeline of events, officials in the Foreign Office saw fit to withhold this information from the most senior ministers in our system, in government,&#8221; he told MPs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If I had known before he took up his post that (the) recommendation was that developed vetting clearance should be denied, I would not have gone ahead with the appointment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Due process<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Last Thursday, Starmer sacked the UK Foreign Office&#8217;s top civil servant, Olly Robins, telling MPs that he had set in motion a review of the security vetting process.<\/p>\n<p>But ex-civil servants have accused Starmer of scapegoating Robbins, who will give his own account to a parliamentary watchdog committee on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Opposition leaders have called for the Labour leader to step down, with accusations ranging from incompetence to wilful misleading of parliamentarians and the public.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer told parliament in February that &#8220;full due process&#8221; was followed when Mandelson was vetted and cleared for the key role.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/89\/16\/808x539_cmsv2_09e63f9e-da06-5b9b-b8cc-6c256072e63d-9728916.jpg\" alt=\"Peter Mandelson is seen with his dog outside his home in London, 20 April, 2026 \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Peter Mandelson is seen with his dog outside his home in London, 20 April, 2026 <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>His Downing Street office has insisted that remains true because government rules meant the UK Foreign Office had the power to overrule vetting concerns, without the knowledge of Starmer and his top team.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Downing Street took the unusual step of releasing a memo that insisted he had only found out about the vetting failure last Tuesday. Senior ministers have so far rallied around Starmer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A judgement was made that the Trump administration was an unconventional administration and an unconventional ambassador could do a job for the United Kingdom,&#8221; Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander said Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That judgement was wrong and the prime minister accepts that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Calls to step down<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Other ministers have argued that Starmer should remain in power amid global turmoil sparked by the Iran war in and other issues, including forging closer relations with the EU.<\/p>\n<p>But polls suggest Starmer is one of Britain&#8217;s most unpopular prime ministers ever.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer sacked Mandelson in September 2025, seven months after he took up the post, after new details emerged about the depth of the ex-envoy&#8217;s ties to Epstein, who died in a US prison in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/71\/65\/55\/808x539_cmsv2_43676b3d-41fc-5d6d-80b0-698f32c3a2c0-9716555.jpg\" alt=\"A document that was included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, 10 February, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">A document that was included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, 10 February, 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>UK police are investigating allegations of misconduct in office by Mandelson, 72, when he was a Labour minister more than 15 years ago. He was arrested and released in February.<\/p>\n<p>Mandelson has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer and his Labour party are also bracing for a chastening set of local elections next month, including in the devolved Scottish and Welsh parliaments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Starmer faces calls to step down after appointing Epstein associate<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson released on bail after arrest in Epstein probe<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  UK&#8217;s Starmer vows to &#8216;fight for his job&#8217; as Epstein-Mandelson scandal deepens<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Keir Starmer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Rape<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    United Kingdom<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Jeffrey Epstein<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    United States <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Sexual Abuse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war &#8216;very limited&#8217;, says Eide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887344-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887344\" data-cid=\"9727417\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgaria&#8217;s former President Rumen Radev wins parliamentary vote<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887411-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887411\" data-cid=\"9727670\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran pulls out of Islamabad peace talks after US seizes cargo ship<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886906-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886906\" data-cid=\"9725344\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Radev wins in Bulgaria as Orb\u00e1n hints at lifting Ukraine loan veto<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2886836-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2886836\" data-cid=\"9725051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries will be the richest by 2030?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he had been wrong to appoint Labour politician Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to Washington, seeking to quell anger over a scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s long-time associate.Starmer, whose popularity with the British public and many MPs in his own centre-left Labour Party has slumped, has also struggled to manage a controversy that threatens to bring down his leadership.Addressing parliament about the deepening political row, Starmer said: &#8220;At the heart of this, there is also a judgment I made that was wrong. I should not have appointed Peter Mandelson.&#8221;He faced fresh calls to quit last week after it was revealed that Mandelson, whose friendship with the late disgraced New York financier was long known, had become Britain&#8217;s envoy to Washington last year despite failing security checks.Starmer has insisted that he and other ministers were not told until last week that Mandelson had failed the independent vetting process.&#8221;It beggars belief that throughout the whole timeline of events, officials in the Foreign Office saw fit to withhold this information from the most senior ministers in our system, in government,&#8221; he told MPs.&#8221;If I had known before he took up his post that (the) recommendation was that developed vetting clearance should be denied, I would not have gone ahead with the appointment.&#8221;Due processLast Thursday, Starmer sacked the UK Foreign Office&#8217;s top civil servant, Olly Robins, telling MPs that he had set in motion a review of the security vetting process.But ex-civil servants have accused Starmer of scapegoating Robbins, who will give his own account to a parliamentary watchdog committee on Tuesday.Opposition leaders have called for the Labour leader to step down, with accusations ranging from incompetence to wilful misleading of parliamentarians and the public.Starmer told parliament in February that &#8220;full due process&#8221; was followed when Mandelson was vetted and cleared for the key role.His Downing Street office has insisted that remains true because government rules meant the UK Foreign Office had the power to overrule vetting concerns, without the knowledge of Starmer and his top team.On Friday, Downing Street took the unusual step of releasing a memo that insisted he had only found out about the vetting failure last Tuesday. Senior ministers have so far rallied around Starmer.&#8221;A judgement was made that the Trump administration was an unconventional administration and an unconventional ambassador could do a job for the United Kingdom,&#8221; Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander said Monday.&#8221;That judgement was wrong and the prime minister accepts that.&#8221;Calls to step downOther ministers have argued that Starmer should remain in power amid global turmoil sparked by the Iran war in and other issues, including forging closer relations with the EU.But polls suggest Starmer is one of Britain&#8217;s most unpopular prime ministers ever.Starmer sacked Mandelson in September 2025, seven months after he took up the post, after new details emerged about the depth of the ex-envoy&#8217;s ties to Epstein, who died in a US prison in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges.UK police are investigating allegations of misconduct in office by Mandelson, 72, when he was a Labour minister more than 15 years ago. He was arrested and released in February.Mandelson has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing.Starmer and his Labour party are also bracing for a chastening set of local elections next month, including in the devolved Scottish and Welsh parliaments.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/20\/uk-pm-starmer-admits-mandelson-envoy-appointment-was-a-mistake-amid-epstein-row&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/89\/16\/1200x675_cmsv2_7541a876-c6bb-53c3-a9f1-69ef56ad67bd-9728916.jpg&#8221;] Europe News EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values Cinema &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican Iran Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests Europe Today Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go? Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1894015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1894015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894015\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1894015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1894015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1894015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}