GB News' regular programming was interrupted as presenters Dawn Neesom and Tom Harwood halted the show to go live to Downing Street with breaking news about Prime Minister Keir Starmer. As they cut to a live feed outside of No. 10, they were joined by political editor Christopher Hope, who reported that Sir Keir had issued an apology to the victims of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after appointing the former Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

Last month, Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office after his close connection to the late felon was unveiled in the Epstein files. Although the former ambassador is no longer in Government, more fury has erupted for Starmer after it was revealed that Mandelson was handed a £75,000 taxpayer-funded payout to terminate his contract. In an update, Christopher told the presenters: "The idea that it was hush money was denied in the briefing; they made very clear that this money was paid because they wanted to avoid any formal tribunal."

The reporter continued: "They would have spent thousands on lawyers, of course, Peter Mandelson was demanding £547,000, according to the files.

"In order to get that, it may have gone to court and all sorts of disclosures, even the things we haven't seen yet. The WhatsApp messages from various people in Government about his appointment, probably supporting it, no doubt at that point, that would've been in Peter Mandelson's case."

Christopher went on: "This money means there won't be a tribunal; we are seeing drip information emerging in the Mandelson files. The first lot came out yesterday, the next lot will be in a few weeks' time."

There have now been growing calls for the former ambassador to return his severance pay after files revealed that his payout of nearly £75,000 comprised £40,330 in pay in lieu of notice and a £34,670 severance payment after he was sacked.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Mandelson should "do the right thing" and return his severance payment, as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch argued that he should not have received the £75,000 payout.

Government minister Darren Jones first told MPs in Parliament that Mandelson should donate the money to charity, while his colleague in Government, Nick Thomas-Symonds, expressed "moral outrage" over the payment, seconding calls for the money to be donated to a victims' charity.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday (March 12), Starmer stated: "The release of the information shows what was known.

"That led to further questions being asked. Unfortunately, because of the Metropolitan Police investigation, we can't release that information yet.

"But that doesn't take away from the fact that it was me that made a mistake, and it's me that makes the apology to the victims of Epstein, and I do that."