This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/10/my-best-pal-messages-between-mandelson-and-epstein-suggest-a-close-bond

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
‘My best pal’: messages between Mandelson and Epstein suggest a close bond ‘My best pal’: messages between Mandelson and Epstein suggest a close bond
(32 minutes later)
The UK ambassador, fondly referred to as ‘Petie’ by the late financier and sex offender, stayed in contact with Epstein well after allegations about him came to light UK ambassador, fondly referred to as ‘Petie’ by late financier and sex offender, stayed in contact with Epstein well after allegations about him came to light
Mandelson: more ‘very embarrassing details of Epstein friendship to comeMandelson: more ‘very embarrassing details of Epstein friendship to come
Ever greater detail is emerging about Peter Mandelson’s closeness to Jeffrey Epstein, not least in a US court document listing a series of emails in which the late financier and sex offender refers to Lord Mandelson fondly as “Petie”.Ever greater detail is emerging about Peter Mandelson’s closeness to Jeffrey Epstein, not least in a US court document listing a series of emails in which the late financier and sex offender refers to Lord Mandelson fondly as “Petie”.
The contact spans 2009 to 2011, after Epstein was convicted of child sex offences. There is, however, other evidence that the pair’s closeness was well established by then. The contact spans 2009 to 2011, after Epstein was convicted of child sexual offences. There is, however, other evidence that the pair’s closeness was well established by then.
1. 2003 – the Epstein birthday book1. 2003 – the Epstein birthday book
Mandelson was among a host of wealthy and well-connected people to contribute messages to a “birthday book” when Epstein turned 50, many of them alluding openly to the financier’s lurid social life.Mandelson was among a host of wealthy and well-connected people to contribute messages to a “birthday book” when Epstein turned 50, many of them alluding openly to the financier’s lurid social life.
Mandelson’s lengthy and very personal tribute to a man he called “my best pal” included a reference to Epstein being “mysterious”, and to his “interesting” friends, the latter illustrated with a photo of two women, their faces obscured.Mandelson’s lengthy and very personal tribute to a man he called “my best pal” included a reference to Epstein being “mysterious”, and to his “interesting” friends, the latter illustrated with a photo of two women, their faces obscured.
2. June 2008 – messages of support2. June 2008 – messages of support
According to the Sun, which said it had seen other messages from court documents, when Epstein was facing prosecution for soliciting sex from a minor, Mandelson emailed him to say: “Your friends stay with you and love you.”According to the Sun, which said it had seen other messages from court documents, when Epstein was facing prosecution for soliciting sex from a minor, Mandelson emailed him to say: “Your friends stay with you and love you.”
Another reported message, shortly before Epstein was handed a brief jail term, said: “Fight for early release.”Another reported message, shortly before Epstein was handed a brief jail term, said: “Fight for early release.”
Other messages from Mandelson, the paper said, included him saying he was “furious” at the legal situation faced by Epstein, adding: “The whole thing has been years of torture and now you have to show the world how big a person you are, and how strong.”Other messages from Mandelson, the paper said, included him saying he was “furious” at the legal situation faced by Epstein, adding: “The whole thing has been years of torture and now you have to show the world how big a person you are, and how strong.”
The Sun said Mandelson did not dispute the veracity of the messages.The Sun said Mandelson did not dispute the veracity of the messages.
3. June 2009 – Mandelson stays in New York with Epstein.3. June 2009 – Mandelson stays in New York with Epstein.
In a tranche of emails between Epstein and Jes Staley – at the time a senior executive with JP Morgan, the bank which had a long and close business relationship with Epstein – Mandelson’s name crops up frequently, sometimes by the diminutive “Petie”. The emails were detailed in the court document. In a tranche of emails between Epstein and Jes Staley – at the time a senior executive with JP Morgan, a bank that had a long and close business relationship with Epstein – Mandelson’s name cropped up frequently, sometimes as the diminutive “Petie”. The emails were detailed in the court document.
In June 2009, when Mandelson was Gordon Brown’s de facto deputy PM, Epstein wrote to Staley that “Peter will be staying at 71st over weekend”, a reference to Epstein’s vast Manhattan townhouse on East 71st Street. He suggests Staley tries to join them. In June 2009, when Mandelson was Gordon Brown’s de facto deputy PM, Epstein wrote to Staley that “Peter will be staying at 71st over weekend”, a reference to Epstein’s vast Manhattan townhouse on East 71st Street. He suggested Staley try to join them.
4. January 20104. January 2010
Three months after Staley seeks Epstein’s help to meet Mandelson, he emails the financier to say he “saw Peter last night”. He adds “Darling in 20 minutes”, a seeming reference to Alistair Darling, Brown’s chancellor. Three months after Staley seeks Epstein’s help to meet Mandelson, he emailed the financier to say he “saw Peter last night”. He added “Darling in 20 minutes”, a seeming reference to Alistair Darling, Brown’s chancellor.
Later the same day, Epstein replies to ask, “was Petie helpful?”, as the pair seemingly discuss efforts by JP Morgan to purchase Royal Bank of Scotland’s energy trading arm, Sempra. Later the same day, Epstein replied to ask: “was Petie helpful?”, as the pair were seemingly discussing efforts by JP Morgan to buy Royal Bank of Scotland’s energy trading arm, Sempra.
5. 11 May 20105. 11 May 2010
Epstein emails Staley to say: “Petie’s quitting.” This appears to be a reference to Mandelson no longer being a minister after Labour lost the election five days earlier, after which there was an impasse before the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took power. Epstein emailed Staley to say: “Petie’s quitting.” This appears to be a reference to Mandelson no longer being a minister after Labour lost the election five days earlier, after which there was an impasse before the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took power.
6. 16 May 20106. 16 May 2010
Epstein emails Staley to ask about his schedule while on a trip to London, writing: “What days will you be there? Do you have time for the Prince Andrew and/or Peter?” Epstein emailed Staley to ask about his schedule while on a trip to London, writing: “What days will you be there? Do you have time for the Prince Andrew and/or Peter?”
Ten days later, Mandelson emails Epstein to forward him details of an event he is addressing in Shanghai, suggesting that JP Morgan should be represented “if they want to spread their wings in China?” Ten days later, Mandelson emailed Epstein to forward him details of an event he was addressing in Shanghai, suggesting that JP Morgan should be represented “if they want to spread their wings in China?”
7. October/November 20107. October/November 2010
After a message from Mandelson to Staley about a visit to the Republic of the Congo, and possible JP Morgan opportunities there, Epstein and Staley then discuss other possible business opportunities for the former minister. After a message from Mandelson to Staley about a visit to the Republic of the Congo, and possible JP Morgan opportunities there, Epstein and Staley discussed other possible business opportunities for the former minister.
Then in November, Epstein tells Staley: “Petie and others in Paris this weekend”, suggesting a time for Staley to join them. Then in November, Epstein told Staley: “Petie and others in Paris this weekend”, suggesting a time for Staley to join them.