A previously undisclosed Blair Epstein meeting occurred in Downing Street. Sir Tony Blair met with financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as Prime Minister. This significant encounter happened in May of 2002 according to official documents. Consequently, this revelation raises new questions about political associations.
The Blair Epstein meeting was arranged by Lord Peter Mandelson. He actively lobbied Blair’s chief of staff for the appointment. Mandelson described Epstein as a “friend of mine” in an email. He also stated that former President Bill Clinton wanted the introduction. Mandelson further vouched for Epstein by calling him “safe” and “vibrant”.
A senior civil servant briefed Blair before the encounter, Matthew Rycroft wrote a memo for the Prime Minister on May 14. This document detailed Epstein’s profile as an adviser to the super-rich. It also noted his connections to Clinton and Prince Andrew. The briefing specifically suggested topics for their discussion. These topics included science and international economic trends.
A spokesperson for Sir Tony Blair acknowledged the event, he said the meeting lasted for less than thirty minutes. They discussed only US and UK politics during their conversation. The spokesperson strongly emphasized the timeline of events. This meeting occurred six years before Epstein’s first criminal conviction. Blair apparently never met with the financier again after this.
The release of these documents was previously blocked by officials, Government authorities cited potential impacts on UK-US relations. The National Archives finally released them following a FOI request. This disclosure comes after recent scrutiny of Mandelson’s Epstein links.
Lord Mandelson’s email lobbying was particularly effusive, he wrote to Blair’s chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, in early May. He claimed Clinton had previously tried to arrange an introduction. Mandelson also described Epstein as a “scientific catalyst”. He argued the Prime Minister would find the meeting very worthwhile.
Handwritten notes on the email reveal some internal hesitation, one note questions the necessity of the scheduled meeting. Another admits that officials knew very little about Epstein. Despite these apparent reservations, the meeting proceeded as planned.
Epstein was later convicted for soliciting prostitution from a minor, he died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Clinton has since publicly distanced himself from the financier. He acknowledges their past association but denies any knowledge of his crimes. The Blair Epstein meeting now adds to the political fallout.
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