Sir Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Road whereas he was prime minister after a advice by Peter Mandelson, newly launched papers from the Nationwide Archives present.
Epstein visited Blair on 14 Could 2002, after the suggestion by Lord Mandelson to the prime minister’s then chief of workers, Jonathan Powell.
Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September after new info emerged about how shut he was to the convicted intercourse offender.
On the time of the advice, Mandelson was a backbench Labour MP however nonetheless served as a trusted ally to Blair. Simply over a 12 months earlier he had resigned from authorities a second time amid controversy. He had described Epstein to Powell as “secure” and a “buddy” in an e mail earlier than the assembly.
Powell is now Keir Starmer’s nationwide safety adviser. His function has been questioned within the collapse of a Chinese language spying case.
Based on papers launched to the BBC, a briefing memo by the senior civil servant Matthew Rycroft described Epstein as a buddy of Mandelson and the then US president Invoice Clinton, in addition to being near Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
A spokesperson for Blair mentioned the assembly was “lengthy earlier than his [Epstein’s] crimes have been identified of and his subsequent conviction”.
A authorities spokesperson mentioned Powell had solely forwarded the request in his function as chief of workers.
Epstein pleaded responsible to soliciting prostitution from a minor in June 2008. He died in jail in 2019.
The discharge of the paperwork had been blocked by authorities officers over considerations it might have an effect on UK-US relations. Nonetheless, the Nationwide Archives has now launched the doc on account of a freedom of knowledge request.
The BBC reported that an e mail from Mandelson to Powell per week earlier than the assembly mentioned: “Do you bear in mind when Clinton noticed TB [Tony Blair] he mentioned he wished to introduce his travelling buddy, Jeffrey Epstein, to TB?
“This was annoyed – TB mentioned on the time – within the workplace for causes (he says) he was unclear about. I believe TB could be desirous about assembly Jeffrey, who can be a buddy of mine, as a result of Jeffrey is an lively scientific catalyst/entrepreneur in addition to somebody who has his finger on the heartbeat of many worldwide markets and currencies.
“He’s younger and vibrant. He’s secure (no matter meaning) and Clinton is now doing a number of travelling with him.”
Mandelson went on: “I discussed to TB that Jeffrey is in London subsequent week and he mentioned he want to meet him.
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“I’ve ascertained from Jeffrey that he’s versatile – he could possibly be right here any time from Tuesday onwards to suit around the diary – however would clearly have to know moderately rapidly in order to re-schedule accordingly. Are you able to let me know?”
A later briefing by Rycroft – who went on to function everlasting secretary on the House Workplace till 2025 – on the day of the assembly mentioned about Epstein: “He’s a monetary adviser to the super-rich and a property developer. He’s a buddy of Invoice Clinton and Peter Mandelson.”
He added: “The background on Epstein is that he’s very wealthy and near the Duke of York.”
He continued: “Peter says that Epstein now travels with Clinton and Clinton desires you to fulfill him.”
A spokesperson for Blair mentioned: “So far as he can bear in mind, Mr Blair met with him for lower than half-hour in Downing Road in 2002 and mentioned US and UK politics.
“He by no means met or engaged with him subsequently. This was, in fact, lengthy earlier than his crimes have been identified of and his subsequent conviction.”
A authorities spokesperson mentioned: “Jonathan Powell forwarded on the request, he had no additional function.”
