Sir Keir Starmer won't freeze Mandelson because of friendship with Epstein

Peter Mandelson said he «regrets» being introduced to Epstein. Photo: Jamie Lorriman

Sir Keir Starmer will continue to receive advice from Lord Mandelson despite accusations that he maintained a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, The Telegraph understands.

According to the Epstein report, the former minister The Labor cabinet maintained a «particularly close relationship» with the pedophile financier. prepared by JPMorgan and published in court filings.

Code-named Project Jeep report alleges that a Labor colleague stayed at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 2009 while he was in jail for soliciting prostitution with a minor .

The billionaire banker was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. expects new allegations of sex trafficking in minors following the revelation of his friendships with senior political figures and celebrities, including Prince Andrew.

Sir Keir's spokesman said yesterday that there are «a whole range of people that Keir Starmer speaks to «, including «people who were part of the last Labor government, including Peter Mandelson.»

No plans to cut ties

The Telegraph understands. Labor has no plans to sever ties with Lord Mandelson, despite allegations that he was involved with Epstein.

A photo previously linked the former business secretary to Epstein after they were captured attending the latter's birthday party at a party in NYC. 2007

Lord Mandelson declined to confirm or deny that he stayed at Epstein's home, but his spokesman told the Financial Times, which first reported the documents, that he never had «any professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.»

The documents also contain messages revealing a connection between the two men, and that Epstein referred to Lord Mandelson as «Petey».

In one such message, Epstein wrote to Jess Staley, his personal banker. at JPMorgan: «Peter will stay at 71st for the weekend, whether you want to organize either you or you and Jamie, quietly [sic] up to you.»

Message understood to refer to 9 71st East Street, Epstein's home on New York's Upper East Side.

The couple were introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Epstein traffic in underage girls.

> Lord Mandelson's spokesman said: «Lord Mandelson is very sorry that he was ever introduced to Epstein.»

«This connection has been in the public domain for some time. He never had any professional or business relationship with Epstein in any form.»