Former New Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson has issued a fresh apology for his past association with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The move follows criticism of his initial refusal to offer a personal apology during a BBC interview over the weekend.

The renewed statement, reported by the Morning Star, seeks to clarify his position after the duration and extent of his links to Epstein were revealed last year. Those revelations led to Lord Mandelson's resignation from his post as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

In his new remarks, Lord Mandelson stated: “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." He added, “I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else, I learned the full truth about him after his death."

The peer concluded by saying, “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.”

Lord Mandelson, once among the highest-ranking gay men in government, saw his popularity wane during the New Labour years, particularly after backing the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Morning Star also notes that the Scottish National Party has lobbied for him to be stripped of his title in the House of Lords in light of the Epstein revelations.