Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour MPs have been challenged by Welsh politicians today, to vote to release the Mandelson papers, over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

During PMQs today (Wednesday, February 4) Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP asked Sir Keir Starmer how people can trust his judgement and therefore trust him to stay as Prime Minister after appointing Peter Mandelson despite knowing of his links to paedophile and sex offender Epstein.

Ms Saville Roberts said that the victims and survivors of Epstein and his circle of “overprivileged elite” were at the forefront of her mind.

She emphasised that the Prime Minister was already aware of Peter Mandelson’s association with Jeffrey Epstein when he personally appointed him as the UK’s ambassador to the USA.

Sir Keir Starmer removed Peter Mandelson from his post as UK ambassador to the USA in September 2025 after leaked emails showed Mandelson expressing support for Jeffrey Epstein and downplaying Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

Mandelson had maintained a close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction of child sex offences. Mandelson described Epstein’s release from prison after his sentencing for these offences as “Liberation Day”.

Speaking during PMQs, Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “The victims and survivors of Epstein and his circle of overprivileged elite are at the forefront of my mind here and now.

“Mandelson, we now know, described Epstein’s release from prison after being sentenced for child sex offences as ‘Liberation Day’.

“This man’s association with Epstein was known when the Prime Minister personally appointed him as the UK’s ambassador to the USA.

“How can we trust the Prime Minister’s judgement and in questioning that, how can we trust him to remain as Prime Minister?”

In his response, the Prime Minister said that the extent of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein was not disclosed and claimed that Mandelson lied throughout the process.

Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz also called on Labour MPs to back a Conservative Opposition Day Motion demanding the release of all papers linked to Mandelson’s appointment as the UK Ambassador to the United States.

The motion follows the publication of new files and photographs involving Mandelson, released as part of a United States investigation into the disgraced and convicted sex offender Epstein.

Speaking out, Mr Kurtz said: “Today at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister admitted that he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein at the time he appointed him as Ambassador to the United States.

“That means the Prime Minister knowingly appointed Peter Mandelson to one of the most important diplomatic roles in government despite his links to Epstein. This raises serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.

“Now, instead of being open and transparent, the Prime Minister is attempting to block the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment in order to protect his own position.

“If Labour MPs support blocking the release of these papers, they will be complicit in covering up the process and judgement that led the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.”