From the royal family to the government/How the Epstein files shook Britain

2026-02-03 09:47:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The US government's release of more than 3 million documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has raised new questions about the connections of three prominent figures in British public life to the late financier.

The former Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, are mentioned several times in the latest Epstein dossiers, increasing pressure on the trio to explain their links to the abuser and distance themselves from British institutions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asked Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before the US Congress, while Mandelson, who resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday, is facing calls from leading political figures, including the head of the British government, to resign from the House of Lords.

Here's how the latest release of files from the Department of Justice is scandalizing Britain:

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

The former Prince Andrew has tried for years to dodge questions about his ties to Epstein. In a 2019 BBC interview, Andrew claimed he had cut all ties with Epstein in 2010, following the financier's 2008 conviction for prostitution.

Leaked emails last year cast doubt on Andrew's claim. British media reported that Andrew appeared to contact Epstein again in 2011, telling him to "stay in close contact" and that they were "in this together." Shortly after, King Charles III stripped his brother Andrew of his royal titles in October and began the process of evicting him from the royal estate in Windsor.

But the latest release of the Epstein files has prompted further scrutiny of the former prince. Three undated photos appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, standing over what appears to be a woman - whose face is covered - who is lying on the floor. It is not clear when or where the images were taken, as no details or context for the photos were provided with the released document.

The latest Epstein documents also contain an email exchange between Epstein and Andrew in August 2010, in which the financier invites the royal family to meet a "friend" - whose name is unknown - for dinner in London.

In November, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee asked Andrew to come to Washington to testify as part of the panel's investigation into Epstein. Although Andrew did not respond to the request, Starmer on Saturday urged the former prince to agree to questioning.

Sarah Ferguson

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, known as "Fergie," is also mentioned several times in the latest batch of files. Ferguson was removed last year as a supporter or ambassador for several British charities after earlier documents showed she had called Epstein her "supreme friend."

The latest documents are further evidence of the extent of their relationship. Emails between the pair also seem to suggest that Epstein wanted to use Ferguson to help clear his name.

In 2001, recently released documents appear to show that Epstein sent the former Duchess $150,000 after helping her cash in on stock options she earned from her work for Weight Watchers.

Peter Mandelson

Mandelson, widely known in politics as the "Prince of Darkness" for his Machiavellian approach to power, was removed from his post as the UK ambassador to Washington in September over the scandal surrounding his links to Epstein. That month, US lawmakers had released a "book", compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, in which Mandelson wrote a handwritten note describing the financier as his "best friend".

The latest documents show that Mandelson appears to have disclosed sensitive UK government tax plans to Epstein. They also show that his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, regularly received undisclosed payments from him.

In September 2009, da Silva – who married Mandelson in 2023 after three decades together – emailed Epstein asking for £10,000 to help fund his osteopathy course. Epstein replied: “I will transfer the amount immediately.”

The latest files also revealed that Mandelson had leaked a sensitive UK government document to the financier while he was business secretary in 2009. The memorandum, written for then-prime minister Gordon Brown, supported the sale of £20bn of assets to help ease Britain's debt burden after the 2008 financial crisis and revealed the Labour Party's tax policy plans.

On Sunday, Mandelson, who is also a member of the House of Lords, announced his resignation from the Labour Party, saying he did not want to cause the party “further embarrassment” over the story. He also apologized to “women and girls whose voices should have been heard long ago.” CNN could not reach Mandelson for further comment.

Mandelson has been on leave from the House of Lords since February last year, to allow him to serve as the UK's ambassador to the US. On Monday, a Downing Street spokesman said Starmer believes Mandelson should be stripped of his "Lord" title. /Marrw from CNN, adapted from CNA