Starmer insists he has confidence in Mandelson as relationship with Epstein faces scrutiny

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Lord Peter Mandeslon to be sacked as ambassador to the United States over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson faced questions on Tuesday after it emerged he had referred to Epstein as his "best pal" in a birthday message he wrote for the convicted sex offender in 2003. Further allegations were made by The Telegraph overnight, claiming Epstein had brokered a deal with Lord Mandelson over the £1bn sale of a UK taxpayer-owned banking business in 2010.

This was reportedly negotiated while Lord Mandelson was the business secretary, and only months after Epstein had been released from prison. Politics latest: Follow live updates There were also claims that Lord Mandelson stayed in Epstein's New York home while he was in prison for soliciting a minor in 2008/9.

Lord Mandelson also wrote supportive messages to Epstein while he was facing charges in 2008, according to leaked emails seen by The Sun Newspaper. The US ambassador is said to have told Epstein: "I think the world of you and I feel hopeless and furious about what has happened".

He is also said to have encouraged Epstein to be "big" and "strong". During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Ms Badenoch asked Sir Keir whether he has confidence in the ambassador.

The prime minister insisted that he does, saying Lord Mandelson is "playing an important role in the UK-US relationship". Referring to Epstein, the prime minister said: "He was a despicable criminal who committed the most heinous crimes and destroyed the lives of so many women and girls.

"The ambassador has repeatedly expressed his deep regret for his association with him. He's right to do so." Sir Keir also claimed that "full due process" was followed in the appointment of Lord Mandelson "as would be expected".

In an interview with The Sun, Lord Mandelson said he regrets "very much that I fell for his lies... and accepted assurances he had given me about his indictment.