Donald Trump says he doesn't know' Peter Mandelson - despite being pictured with him

Donald Trump has denied knowing sacked US ambassador Peter Mandelson - despite being pictured shaking his hand.

The US President offered a brutal put down when asked about the UK's top man in Washington, who was fired by Keir Starmer last week after the depth of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was exposed.

Mr Trump said "I don't know him actually" when asked at a press conference with Keir Starmer if he had sympathy with Lord Mandelson for being sacked over historic links to the notorious paedophile.

Mr Trump said: "I had heard that and I think maybe the Prime Minister would be better speaking of that. It was a choice that he made and I don't know." Turning to the PM, Mr Trump asked: "What is your answer to that?"

The Prime Minister said: "Well, I mean, it's very straightforward. Some information came to light last week which wasn't available when he was appointed. And I made a decision about it, and that's very clear."

READ MORE: Donald Trump LIVE: Keir Starmer and US president give Chequers press conference

Mr Trump's claim despite him being pictured shaking hands with Lord Mandelson in the Oval Office in May when the US and the UK signed a trade agreement. At the time, Mr Trump gushed that he had a “beautiful accent" and even signed a copy of the deal for the Labour grandee.

Lord Mandelson showed reporters a piece of paper which the President had signed, adding: “Peter, great job!”

The row had threatened to cast a shadow over Mr Trump's lavish state visit, as the US President has also faced questions over his friendship with Epstein. He has said they fell out before his conviction in 2009.

Lord Mandelson's sacking left the Government without a US ambassador ahead of the state visit, with James Roscoe, the UK's charge d'affaires in Washington, stepping up in at the last minute.

He was fired by the PM last Thursday followed the emergence of emails in which he told Epstein to "fight for early release" shortly before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He is also reported to have told Epstein "I think the world of you" the day before the disgraced financier began his sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008.

Mr Trump continues to deny being the author of a sexually suggestive letter in Epstein's 50th birthday book in 2003.

Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

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