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| Mandelson expresses 'tremendous' regret over Epstein friendship | Mandelson expresses 'tremendous' regret over Epstein friendship |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A picture understood to have been taken on the Caribbean island of St Barts in 2006 | A picture understood to have been taken on the Caribbean island of St Barts in 2006 |
| The UK's ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has said he feels "a tremendous sense of regret" over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and a "tremendous sense of sympathy" for his victims. | The UK's ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has said he feels "a tremendous sense of regret" over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and a "tremendous sense of sympathy" for his victims. |
| Speaking to the You Tube channel Harry Cole Saves the West, he likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding that he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar". | Speaking to the You Tube channel Harry Cole Saves the West, he likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding that he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar". |
| On Tuesday, US lawmakers released a number of documents which included a letter from Lord Mandelson in which he called Epstein his "best pal". | On Tuesday, US lawmakers released a number of documents which included a letter from Lord Mandelson in which he called Epstein his "best pal". |
| The diplomat said it was "very embarrassing" to see the words published but added they were written "over 20 years ago". | The diplomat said it was "very embarrassing" to see the words published but added they were written "over 20 years ago". |
| He said he believed more "embarrassing" material including letters and emails would be released. | He said he believed more "embarrassing" material including letters and emails would be released. |
| On Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesperson has said that the prime minister still has confidence in Lord Mandelson and said he has "played a key part" strengthening trade and investment with the US, which had secured jobs in the UK. | On Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesperson has said that the prime minister still has confidence in Lord Mandelson and said he has "played a key part" strengthening trade and investment with the US, which had secured jobs in the UK. |
| The birthday message from Mandelson was one of a number of documents in an alleged "birthday book" given to Epstein to celebrate his 50th birthday. | |
| The book contained messages, cards and photos sent by Epstein's friends, including a letter carrying a signature resembling US President Donald Trump. Trump has denied writing the note. | The book contained messages, cards and photos sent by Epstein's friends, including a letter carrying a signature resembling US President Donald Trump. Trump has denied writing the note. |
| Epstein had been a well-connected financier who was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18 in 2008. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. | Epstein had been a well-connected financier who was convicted for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18 in 2008. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. |
| Asked why he continued his association with Epstein, Mandelson said he "fell for his lies". | Asked why he continued his association with Epstein, Mandelson said he "fell for his lies". |
| "I accepted assurances he had given me about his original indictment, his original criminal case. Like very many people I took at face value what he said." | "I accepted assurances he had given me about his original indictment, his original criminal case. Like very many people I took at face value what he said." |
| He said he never saw wrongdoing at any point while with Epstein and he "never sought, nor did [Epstein] offer introductions to women in the way that he did to others, perhaps it is because I am a gay man". | He said he never saw wrongdoing at any point while with Epstein and he "never sought, nor did [Epstein] offer introductions to women in the way that he did to others, perhaps it is because I am a gay man". |
| He said he couldn't "rewrite history" adding: "What I can do, what I can do is express my profound sympathy for those who were badly treated by him." | He said he couldn't "rewrite history" adding: "What I can do, what I can do is express my profound sympathy for those who were badly treated by him." |