Addressing the MPs, Mr Jones stated: “The Prime Minister has taken responsibility for Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States. He has acknowledged it was a mistake and has apologised, not least for believing Peter Mandelson’s lies.” The politician continued: “As the Government has said previously, there are specific documents that this Government would like to have been able to disclose today.
“The Metropolitan Police have asked us not to do so yet, in order to avoid prejudicing their ongoing criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson.”
The minister stated: “We have agreed to that request. We will therefore publish these documents in the future, as soon as the Metropolitan Police have confirmed it will no longer prejudice their investigation.”
He also referenced the “disgust and horror” felt at the nature and extent of the relationship Mandelson maintained with Epstein despite being convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Jones adds that Epstein’s victims will be the Government’s “first priority” as he apologises to them having to “relive the horrors” with “still too little justice being served”.
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The Prime Minister has insisted Mandelson “lied repeatedly” to No.10 about his relationship with Epstein, before and during his tenure as ambassador.
After photos of Mandelson were uncovered in the Epstein files, he was fired from his taxpayer-funded role in September 2025 after No.10 admitted the pair were closer associates than previously believed.
The New Labour minister, who worked alongside former Prime Ministers Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that he leaked sensitive information.
Following his departure from his governmental role, Mandelson is due to be stripped of his peerage and remains under police investigation.
