Epstein files suggest $75,000 in payments linked to Mandelson accounts

New bank records surface in latest document release

Newly released financial documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein show that he authorised payments totalling $75,000 (£55,000). These payments were made to bank accounts associated with Peter Mandelson. The records form part of a large disclosure of Epstein-related material published by the US Department of Justice.

The documents contain what seem to be three separate transfers of $25,000. These were made between 2003 and 2004. Each transfer references Mandelson by name. Officials say the release is the largest set of Epstein files made public so far.

What the bank statements appear to show

The first transfer, dated 14 May 2003, is listed as being sent from Epstein’s JP Morgan account to a Barclays account. The account holder is identified as Reinaldo Avila da Silva, who was Mandelson’s partner at the time. Mandelson’s name appears on the record as the beneficiary.

Two further payments of $25,000 are dated June 2004 and are linked to HSBC accounts. In both cases, Mandelson’s name again appears as the beneficiary. It is not clear from the documents whether the money was successfully deposited into any of the accounts listed.

Mandelson responds to the claims

Mandelson said he had no record or memory of receiving any such payments and questioned whether the documents were authentic. He said he did not know if the transfers ever reached any account connected to him.

He repeated that he regretted ever having known Epstein and apologised “unequivocally” to the women and girls who suffered abuse. Mandelson has previously described his relationship with Epstein as a “terrible mistake”.

Images also appear in the files

Photographs linked to Mandelson also feature in the newly released documents. One redacted image shows him standing next to a woman whose face has been obscured. Mandelson said he could not identify either the woman or the location and had no memory of when or where the photograph was taken.

There is no indication of criminal behaviour in the image. Authorities stress that being named or pictured in the files does not in itself imply wrongdoing.

Further links involving Mandelson’s partner

Avila da Silva, who married Mandelson in 2023, is also mentioned elsewhere in the release. Emails from 2009 appear to show Epstein sent him £10,000 to help fund an osteopathy course. Asked about this, Mandelson said he had already spoken openly about his past connection with Epstein and had nothing further to add.

Diplomatic role ended after earlier revelations

Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the United States in late 2024 but was removed from the role the following year after further disclosures about his continued contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction.

Previously released emails showed Mandelson exchanged supportive messages with Epstein despite his criminal case in Florida.

Government reaction

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said ministers were not aware of any alleged financial links between Mandelson and Epstein at the time of his appointment. He said the events in question dated back more than 20 years and that Mandelson had been removed from his ambassadorial role because he had failed to disclose aspects of his relationship with Epstein.

He added that Mandelson should answer questions about his own conduct.

Epstein’s criminal case and death

Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 to charges including soliciting a minor and served 13 months in jail under a plea agreement. In 2019, he was found dead in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Personal messages revealed in the files

The latest release also contains personal correspondence between Epstein and Mandelson. In one message from 2009, Epstein appears to joke that Mandelson could remove his peerage if he married Princess Beatrice, suggesting this would allow him to run for prime minister. Mandelson replied that he was already “Lord President”.

In separate messages to another contact, Epstein suggested he had offered this advice because Mandelson could not stand for prime minister while sitting in the House of Lords.

Questions remain over the transfers

The appearance of the bank records has renewed scrutiny of Epstein’s financial dealings with influential figures. While the documents raise fresh questions about the nature of the transfers, investigators stress that inclusion in the files does not prove misconduct, and those named have denied involvement in Epstein’s crimes.

For now, it remains unclear whether the money ever reached any account linked to Mandelson or what purpose the payments were intended to serve.