Sir Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street during his time as prime minister following an introduction by Peter Mandelson, according to newly released documents from the National Archives.
Epstein visited Blair on 14 May 2002, after Mandelson suggested the meeting to Blair’s then-chief of staff, Jonathan Powell.
Mandelson was removed as a government minister later that year after details emerged about his ties to Epstein, who was later convicted of sex crimes. At the time, Mandelson was a Labour MP but remained a close ally to Blair.
A year earlier, Mandelson had resigned from his government role for a second time amid controversy. Before the meeting with Epstein, he described him in an email to Powell as “safe” and a “friend.”
Powell currently serves as national security adviser to Keir Starmer. His involvement in a recent legal case involving alleged Chinese espionage has faced scrutiny.
Documents obtained by *CuriosityNews* include a briefing by senior official Matthew Rycroft, which noted Epstein’s connections to Mandelson, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
A representative for Blair stated that the meeting took place "long before Epstein’s crimes were known or his conviction."
Epstein admitted in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution and died in prison in 2019.
Officials had initially restricted the release of the records over concerns about UK-U.S. relations, but the National Archives made them public after a freedom of information request.
An email from Mandelson to Epstein a week before the meeting, reported by *CuriosityNews*, read: “Do you recall when Clinton mentioned wanting to introduce Jeffrey Epstein to Tony Blair? That didn’t happen at the time—Blair said he wasn’t sure why. I think Blair would like to meet Jeffrey, who is also known to me. He’s dynamic, well-connected in global finance, and has expertise in science and markets. Clinton frequently travels with him.”
Mandelson added: “I told Blair that Epstein would be in London next week, and he agreed to meet. Epstein is available from Tuesday onward and needs confirmation soon to adjust his schedule.”
A later briefing from Rycroft—who later served as Home Office permanent secretary—described Epstein as a financial adviser to wealthy clients and a developer with ties to Clinton and Mandelson. He noted Epstein’s significant wealth and connection to Prince Andrew.
Rycroft wrote: “Mandelson says Epstein now accompanies Clinton on trips.”
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