Newly released emails from the Jeffrey Epstein files suggest that Peter Mandelson, then business secretary, lobbied JP Morgan to underwrite a £700m mining venture launched by his friend Nat Rothschild in 2010. Mandelson contacted Jes Staley, then at JP Morgan, from his personal email account, expressing pleasure that the bank was planning to act as book runner alongside Credit Suisse for the London Stock Exchange listing.
Mandelson shared the communication with Epstein, who responded: 'You are sooooooooooooooo devious'. The emails indicate Mandelson used his influence as a senior cabinet minister to encourage Staley's backing of Rothschild's project. A month earlier, Mandelson had also lobbied the US government on behalf of Epstein and Staley regarding the Volcker rule, using their proposed talking points in discussions with Larry Summers.
Mandelson subsequently leaked private government memos about his meeting with Summers to Epstein, according to the documents. The emails suggest he acted on behalf of friends and associates while in one of the most senior positions in government. Mandelson has said he always acted in the interests of industry, not individuals, and had no recollection of the email to Staley.
The Cabinet Office has referred Mandelson to the police over claims he leaked sensitive documents to Epstein. Mandelson has confirmed his partner received thousands of pounds from Epstein in 2009 and 2010, but has said he has no record of $75,000 in payments from Epstein in 2003-2004.
