Sir Tony Blair had a meeting with Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street following encouragement from Lord Peter Mandelson. A significant memo dated May 14, 2002, from a senior civil servant informed the then-Prime Minister about the wealthy Epstein, described as a financial advisor, before their scheduled meeting later that day. The memo, penned by Matthew Rycroft, predated Epstein’s criminal activities by six years.
A representative for the former PM confirmed the brief encounter, lasting less than 30 minutes, and stated there were no further interactions between them. Revealing emails, reviewed by the BBC, revealed Lord Mandelson’s role in facilitating the meeting, despite recent controversy leading to his dismissal as the UK ambassador to the US due to his connections with Epstein.
In the emails, Mandelson mentioned Epstein as “a friend” and suggested that former US President Bill Clinton wanted to introduce Epstein to the PM. Mandelson portrayed Epstein as “safe,” “young,” and “vibrant,” emphasizing his global market insights and entrepreneurial spirit.
Additionally, three handwritten notes, mostly illegible, suggested the intention to arrange a meeting between Clinton and Epstein. A spokesperson for Sir Tony clarified that the 2002 meeting solely involved discussions on US and UK politics and was a one-time occurrence long before Epstein’s criminal activities came to light.
Bill Clinton acknowledged his past association with Epstein but denied any knowledge of the financier’s illegal actions. Mandelson faced criticism after leaked emails surfaced, showing his support for Epstein during his legal troubles, urging him to seek early release while facing charges related to child prostitution.
One email from Mandelson expressed deep concern and urged Epstein to remain resilient and philosophical amidst the situation. The ex-UK ambassador’s close relationship with Epstein has raised concerns about his involvement in the scandal.