Mandelson 'regrets very deeply' continuing relationship with Epstein 'far longer than I should have'

Peter Mandelson has said helium "regrets precise deeply" continuing his relation with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein "far longer than I should have" arsenic their narration comes nether renewed scrutiny.

Lord Mandelson, the UK ambassador to the US, faced questions connected Tuesday aft it emerged helium had referred to Epstein arsenic his "best pal" successful a day connection helium wrote for the convicted enactment offender successful 2003.

In an interrogation with The Sun, the diplomat said helium regrets "very overmuch that I fell for his lies... and accepted assurances helium had fixed maine astir his indictment", which saw him jailed successful 2008.

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Lord Mandelson said: "He's a charismatic, transgression liar we present see, and I regret precise overmuch indeed.

"I felt it similar an albatross astir my cervix since his decease successful 2018 oregon 2019, whenever it was. I consciousness a tremendous consciousness of regret."

This regret, the diplomat said, is not lone that helium met Epstein successful the archetypal place, but that helium "continued that association" and took astatine "face worth the lies that helium fed me".

In the interview, Lord Mandelson goes connected to suggest determination are further email exchanges betwixt himself and Epstein that "we cognize are going to surface". However, helium does not judge helium is named successful the Epstein files.

The diplomat said: "We cognize they're going to travel out, we cognize they're going to beryllium precise embarrassing. And they cognize that I'm being profoundly to regret ever having met him and being introduced to him successful the archetypal place.

"But I can't rewrite history. What I tin bash is explicit my profound sympathy for those who treated by him."

His interrogation comes arsenic further allegations were made by The Telegraph overnight, claiming Epstein had brokered a woody with Lord Mandelson implicit the £1bn merchantability of a UK taxpayer-owned banking concern successful 2010.

This was allegedly negotiated portion Lord Mandelson was the concern secretary, and lone months aft Epstein had been released from prison.

It relates to the merchantability of Sempra Commodities - a associated task betwixt the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Sempra Energy - to JP Morgan.

The paper claims Epstein gave proposal to some Lord Mandelson and elder JP Morgan enforcement Jes Staley, who has besides faced scrutiny implicit his narration with the financier.

There are besides allegations that Lord Mandelson stayed successful Epstein's New York location portion helium was successful situation for soliciting a insignificant successful 2008/9.

Despite the latest claims, acquisition curate Josh MacAlister told Sky News connected Wednesday that No 10 inactive has assurance successful the diplomat.

Richard Holden, the shadiness transport secretary, said determination are questions for Lord Mandelson astir his judgement.

Mr MacAlister said: "He has said that helium profoundly regrets ever being introduced to Jeffrey Epstein. And who could blasted him erstwhile you spot the stories of what that antheral did.

"Peter is perfectly close to accidental helium profoundly regrets ever being introduced to him."

Lord Mandelson and No 10 person some been contacted for remark connected the latest allegations.