The communist daily newspaper, Morning Star reports that New Labour grandee Peter Mandelson has made a second attempt to apologise for his association with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson, who was forced to resign as Britain’s ambassador to Washington after the duration and extent of his links to Epstein were revealed last year, came under fire for refusing to personally apologise in a BBC interview at the weekend. Lord Mandelson was once amongst the highest ranking gay men in government, but became somewhat unpopular during the New Labour experiment when he backed the controversial and possibly illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003. Mr Mandelson has since followed his appearance on the BBC Television interview with a new statement, clarifying his position. Lord Mandelson said "“I want to say loudly and clearly that I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered. “I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else, I learned the full truth about him after his death." “But his victims did know what he was doing, their voices were not heard and I am truly sorry I was among those who believed him over them.” The Morning Star notes that the Scottish National Party has lobbied for Lord Mandelson to be stripped of his Lordship title.