MPs have called for an investigation after a British whistleblower who highlighted alleged ties between Jeffrey Epstein and a top US official was found dead. British banker Simon Andriesz, 57, discovered an email chain in the Epstein files that suggested US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and Epstein had discussed a start-up business in 2018, around a year before the paedophile financier's death. The Trump ally described his contact with Epstein as "inconsequential".
Whistleblower's background
Mr Andriesz had previously worked as a managing director at BGC Group, where Mr Lutnick had been a chief executive. He was sacked in 2016 after raising the alarm over serious failures in corporate governance. The revelations led to the company being charged with supervision, reporting, and record-keeping violations in the US, and ordered to pay £96 million in unpaid tax by HMRC.
Mr Andriesz had raised his concerns about Lutnick and Epstein earlier this year with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the FBI, among others. Mr Andriesz took his own life in Thailand last month, fellow campaigners from Transparency Task Force announced at the weekend.
Condolences and calls for review
A statement read: "Whistleblowing can be an isolating path, and Simon's experience was a reminder of how much whistleblowers sacrifice and how much more support they deserve. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones."
John McDonnell, chair of the all-parliamentary group on Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Services, has since called for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to be subjected to an independent review of how it handles whistleblowers. Mr Andriesz had accused the financial standards watchdog of failing to hold his former employer fully to account over the allegations of misconduct.
Former Labour shadow chancellor Mr McDonnell said: "It is vital that this time a truly independent and non-conflicted organisation carries out the work needed. If the FCA refuses to respond positively, the APPG will consider all alternatives, including conducting its own call for evidence from whistleblowers who have interacted with the regulator. The FCA must not be allowed to mark their own homework again."
An FCA spokesperson said: "We are very sorry to hear of Mr Andriesz’s death. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Since expressing our condolences, we’d asked Lea Paterson, who has just joined our board as a non-executive director, to review how we interacted with Mr Andriesz to learn any lessons for the future."
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