In brief
Bank statements released by the DOJ suggest Jeffrey Epstein made three payments totaling $75,000 to accounts linked to Lord Mandelson from 2003 to 2004. Mandelson claims no memory of receiving these funds and expresses regret over his past association with Epstein. The documents, part of a significant release by the US government, also include personal images of Mandelson. Mandelson was removed from his position as the UK ambassador to the US amid growing scrutiny of his ties with Epstein.
Bank statements released by the US Department of Justice suggest that Jeffrey Epstein made a total of $75,000 (£55,000) worth of payments to accounts connected to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.
These payments are detailed in newly released documents, marking the largest set of records shared since a law was passed mandating their disclosure. According to the records, Epstein transferred three separate payments of $25,000, all referencing Lord Mandelson directly.
Lord Mandelson has asserted that he has no recollection of these payments and questioned their authenticity. He reiterated his regret for ever associating with Epstein, especially following the financier's conviction, and apologized to the victims.
Among the documents released were previously unseen photographs of Mandelson, including an image of him in his underwear alongside an unidentified woman, which he claims he cannot recall.
The payments to Mandelson were made from Epstein's accounts at JP Morgan and show that he was named both as a beneficiary and in direct connection to the accounts of Mandelson's partner at the time. It remains unclear if these funds ever reached the specified accounts.
In the wake of these revelations, Mandelson faced scrutiny over his ties with Epstein, particularly after continued communication after Epstein's conviction for sex trafficking. He was eventually dismissed from his role as the UK ambassador to the US due to undisclosed contacts with Epstein.
During various interviews, Lord Mandelson described his association with Epstein as a mistake and addressed the implications of these findings on his political career.
