Britain's ambassador to the US deeply regrets ever meeting convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and says he has carried on that association "for far longer than I should have done".

Peter Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician who was key to the party's success under former leader Tony Blair, has come under scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein after a birthday book was released including a letter purportedly from the now ambassador describing Epstein as "my best pal".

In an interview with Britain's Sun newspaper released on Wednesday, Mandelson said he felt a "profound sense of sympathy for those people, those women who suffered as a result of his behaviour and his illegal criminal activities".

"I feel a tremendous sense of regret not only that I met him in the first place, bu

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