The family of Virginia Giuffre, the most high-profile victim of Jeffrey Epstein, has said Lord Mandelson should never have been given the role of UK ambassador to the United States.
In their first UK interview since Giuffre’s death earlier this year, her brother Sky Roberts told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the Labour peer’s appointment “speaks to how deep the corruption goes in our systems.”
Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked and abused by Epstein and introduced to Prince Andrew as a teenager, took her own life in April after years of campaigning on behalf of survivors.
Government Under Pressure Over Vetting
Lord Mandelson was sacked last week after emails revealed he had exchanged supportive messages with Epstein while the disgraced financier faced jail for sex offences in 2008.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle admitted it was “highly unlikely” Mandelson would have been appointed had ministers known the full extent of his contact with Epstein.
“What we know now is materially different to what was understood at the time,” Kyle told the BBC.
He added that while Mandelson’s links were noted during the vetting process, the government needed someone with “outstanding talents” to repair strained relations with Washington.
Family Anger at “Failure of Accountability”
Giuffre’s sister-in-law Amanda Roberts criticised governments for allowing influential figures with Epstein ties to retain power.
“He should never have been given that title. Survivors shouldn’t have to keep pulling skeletons out of the closet for people to be held accountable,” she said.
Sky Roberts described Mandelson’s removal as a “step in the right direction” but said “that’s not nearly enough,” warning there are “still people in Epstein’s circle who could be harming young women today.”
Political Fallout and Calls for Inquiry
Opposition parties are demanding answers about what ministers knew of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein before his appointment.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott accused the government of “appointing the best pal of a convicted paedophile,” pledging to use “every mechanism available” to uncover the truth.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an independent inquiry into the decision, while Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said Mandelson “should never have been appointed” given the information already available at the time.
Mandelson Defends Himself
Lord Mandelson has insisted he relied on assurances of Epstein’s innocence, which he now accepts were “horrendously false.” He has expressed regret over their friendship but declined to comment on his dismissal.
Emails published last week showed Mandelson urging Epstein to seek early release and revealed the extent of their personal contact.
Sir Keir Starmer, who initially defended Mandelson, reversed his position after reviewing the emails, sacking the Labour peer late Wednesday.
Epstein Scandal Still Casting a Shadow
The revelations have renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s network of powerful friends. A recently published cache of his birthday book showed entries from dozens of figures across politics, business, and science — though many names were redacted.
Prince Andrew, who Giuffre accused of sexually abusing her on three occasions in 2001, has consistently denied the allegations. He reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022 without admitting liability.
For Giuffre’s family, keeping her story alive remains crucial. “We have to put the spotlight on them,” Amanda Roberts said. “Virginia fought for accountability, and her legacy must not be forgotten.”
Key Takeaway
The sacking of Lord Mandelson has intensified pressure on ministers to explain how someone with documented links to Epstein was appointed as Britain’s ambassador to Washington. For Virginia Giuffre’s family, the controversy reflects a deeper failure of accountability — one they say survivors should not be left to expose on their own.
