"The reason he was appointed was a judgment, a judgment that given the depth of his experience as a former trade commissioner for the European Union, his long experience in politics, and his politics and doing politics at the highest international levels, he could do a job for the United Kingdom. We knew this was an unconventional presidential administration and that was the basis on which there was a judgment that we needed an unconventional ambassador."
"But speaking on BBC Breakfast, Alexander said nothing justifies Mandelson's appointment in light of what had emerged in the past week. He was reported to have told Epstein to fight for early release shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and told him I think the world of you the day before the disgraced financier began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008."
"The prime minister sacked him on Thursday after emails showed he sent supportive messages even as Epstein faced jail for sex offences. Alexander told Sky News he had reacted with incredulity and revulsion to the publication of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, adding he was not here to defend him."
Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States on the basis of extensive international and political experience, including service as a European Union trade commissioner. Emails later emerged showing Mandelson sent supportive messages to Jeffrey Epstein even as Epstein faced jail for sex offences, and urged him to fight for early release shortly before sentencing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Mandelson after publication of the emails. Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander said he reacted with incredulity and revulsion, stated that Mandelson would not have been appointed had the prime minister known the depth of his association with Epstein, and acknowledged questions about what was known and when.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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