Overview

• A May 14, 2002 briefing by senior civil servant Matthew Rycroft set a 5pm Downing Street meeting and described Jeffrey Epstein as a financial adviser to the super-rich and a friend of Bill Clinton and Peter Mandelson, noting ties to the Duke of York.
• A May 7, 2002 email from Peter Mandelson to chief of staff Jonathan Powell called Epstein “safe,” said Clinton wanted an introduction, and offered scheduling flexibility for a meeting with Tony Blair.
• Blair’s spokesperson said the encounter lasted less than 30 minutes, focused on US and UK politics, and was followed by no further contact.
• The National Archives released the documents after a Freedom of Information request, following weeks in which Mandelson was removed as US ambassador over leaked emails about Epstein, including a 2008 note urging him to “fight for early release.”
• Officials had previously blocked release of the records over potential impact on UK–US relations, and handwritten notes on the email print-out questioned whether the meeting should go ahead.