In a significant development, a German business consultant who served as an intermediary between the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the former Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has resigned from the University of Cambridge's prestigious business school. David Stern stepped down with "immediate effect" after the Judge Business School was questioned about his relationship with the disgraced financier, as revealed in newly disclosed emails.
Emails Expose Disturbing Communications and Investment Proposals
Details have emerged from emails released by the US Department of Justice, showing that Mr Stern, aged 48, appeared to suggest to Epstein that he should invest in the music company EMI, noting the industry "related to P" – a derogatory term Epstein used to refer to women. Epstein reportedly expressed interest, asking, "Do we need help – Mandelson?" Lord Mandelson has since denied any awareness of Epstein's sex crimes, stating he only learned the truth after the paedophile's death in 2019.
Extensive Ties and Shared Messages
Mr Stern's name appears a staggering 7,461 times in the Epstein Files, where he refers to himself as a "soldier" and Epstein as his "general." The emails indicate that the men shared sexually explicit messages, with Mr Stern known as the "man in the palace," keeping Epstein updated on Prince Andrew's movements. This relationship persisted after Epstein's release from prison in 2009, following his admission of procuring a girl under 18 for prostitution, and continued until at least 2017.
Lucrative Deal Attempts Involving Prince Andrew
Epstein also attempted to broker a lucrative deal with the American investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which would have netted Prince Andrew a £1 million advance, according to emails between Epstein and Mr Stern. In one proposed version, the former prince would have received a 40% cut of future profits, with Cantor Fitzgerald getting the same share and Mr Stern taking the remaining 20%.
The plan, discussed in autumn 2013, aimed to use Andrew's connections to introduce "asset management firms, sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and high net worth individuals," as reported by the Daily Telegraph. This occurred almost three years after Prince Andrew claimed to have severed ties with the billionaire.
Further Revelations and Resignation
Additional communications include a 2014 birthday message from Mr Stern to Epstein featuring a photograph of an unknown young woman having champagne poured on her, and a 2011 email where Mr Stern wrote, "I am going with PA to China on 23 October... I stay in the background/hidden." Mr Stern was appointed to the advisory board of the Judge Business School in January 2018 but resigned after the school was approached by Private Equity News about his Epstein links.
A spokesman for the business school confirmed, "David Stern has resigned from the advisory board of Cambridge Judge Business School with immediate effect," without clarifying whether the institution previously knew about the ties. Mr Stern has been contacted for a statement regarding these allegations.
