Sir Keir Starmer apologises over Mandelson-Epstein scandal

Friday, February 6, 2026

Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

Sir Keir Starmer has apologised for appointing Peter Mandelson and "believing his lies", Donald Trump has backed the prime minister's Chagos deal, and thousands of people have been evacuated as Storm Leonardo batters Spain and Portugal.

Top stories

1 | I'm sorry for appointing Mandelson and believing his lies, PM says

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2 | Trump backs Starmer's Chagos deal despite 'great stupidity' claim

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3 | Thousands evacuated as Storm Leonardo batters Spain and Portugal

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4 | France thrash Ireland in statement start to Six Nations

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5 | Boy, 15, arrested for attempted murder after armed attack on teacher

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Editors' picks

'Starmer has to go': Readers on Mandelson files and Labour infighting

The Labour MPs are on a sinking ship with Starmer as PM, and he has to go. If he's kept in place as PM, then they will lose their parliamentary seats in the next general election, as he is a disaster.

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WATCH 

Illegal migrants board flights as Home Office announce record

STAT OF THE DAY

£7,000

The amount of money a local councillor claims was spent on a duck road sign - in an area he has never seen any ducks. 

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

"None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship."

Sir Keir Starmer talking about Lord Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein as he apologised to victims. 

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