Jon Kay opened BBC Breakfast with a huge announcement.

 

Henry Zeffman on BBC Breakfast

The BBC star said that the resignation was ‘unimaginable’ (Image: BBC)

Just minutes into Monday morning’s episode of BBC Breakfast, Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party were hit by a major blow. The show, presented by Jon Kay, opened by discussing the latest news surrounding the release of the Epstein files.

Henry Zeffman, BBC Breakfast’s chief political correspondent soon took over the report as he explained that Lord Peter Mandelson had resigned after having his name linked to American paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. It was a move that the BBC reporter said it would have previously been “unimaginable”. Henry told the audience: “The disclosures at the weekend about Lord Mandelson in the latest release of Epstein files were very difficult. To use that word is to almost underplay it. Last night, he then released a letter which he sent to the general secretary of the Labour party.” The statement, which was aired on the BBC show, read: “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, and I feel regretful and sorry about this.”

BBC Breakfast

Lord Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party (Image: BBC)

He added: “Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.

“While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party, and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.

“I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.

“I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the Labour Party, and in taking my decision, I believe I am acting in its best interests.”

Henry went on: “‘Lord Mandelson resigns from the Labour party’ – I think that is a headline that was practically unimaginable, at least until this weekend, where it became clear that events were going to develop.

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“This is a man who was with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, essentially the third musketeer. He has links stretching back to the first Labour Government. His father was Home Secretary during World War II.

“I don’t think Peter Mandelson ever imagined, whatever scandals he has been in before, that his political career and time in public life would end in such ignominy as this.”