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US files show financial ties between Epstein and UK politician
Bank records released by the U.S. Department of Justice indicate Jeffrey Epstein transferred $75,000 to accounts associated with former UK cabinet minister Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.
Payments detail and timeline
The documents, part of a larger trove of Epstein-related files made public on Friday, include three separate transactions of $25,000 each. The first payment, dated 14 May 2003, was sent to a Barclays account listing Reinaldo Avila da Silva-Lord Mandelson's partner at the time-as the account holder. The transaction identified Lord Mandelson as the beneficiary.
Two additional payments followed in June 2004, both directed to HSBC accounts with Lord Mandelson named as the sole beneficiary. It remains unclear whether the funds reached their intended accounts.
Mandelson denies knowledge of transactions
Lord Mandelson stated he has no memory or record of receiving the payments and expressed uncertainty about the authenticity of the documents. In a public statement, he reiterated regret for his past association with Epstein, calling it a "terrible mistake" and offering an "unequivocal" apology to the financier's victims.
"I have nothing more to add."
Lord Mandelson
Photographs and additional correspondence
The newly released files also contain a redacted image of Lord Mandelson in his underwear, standing beside an unidentified woman. He told reporters he could not recall the circumstances or location of the photograph.
Separate emails from 2009 show Epstein sent £10,000 to da Silva for an osteopathy course. When questioned, Lord Mandelson declined further comment, referring to previous BBC interviews where he addressed his relationship with Epstein.
Government response and diplomatic fallout
Lord Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the U.S. in December 2024 but was dismissed in September 2025 following disclosures about his continued contact with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction. Housing Secretary Steve Reed confirmed the government had no prior knowledge of the financial links, stating Mandelson's removal stemmed from undisclosed information.
"There were things he had not disclosed."
Steve Reed, UK Housing Secretary
Epstein's legal history and broader context
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from underage girls as part of a plea deal. He died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Among the released emails, one from Epstein to Mandelson suggested marrying Princess Beatrice as a means to relinquish his peerage and pursue the UK premiership. Lord Mandelson responded jokingly, referencing his existing role as Lord President.
