Mandelson Refuses Direct Apology to Epstein Victims

Former UK diplomat Peter Mandelson has refused to apologize directly to Jeffrey Epstein's victims for his friendship with the convicted sex offender. In a BBC interview, the Labour Party peer instead expressed regret for "a system" that failed the victims. He called Epstein an "evil monster" and said his own association with the financier had come at a "calamitous" price. Mandelson was removed as British ambassador to the United States in September. This followed the publication of emails showing he supported Epstein after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor. He did not apologize for maintaining that friendship. He said he was sorry for a societal and legal system that ignored the victims.