Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice show Jeffrey Epstein celebrated the UK's 2016 Brexit vote, calling it a 'return to tribalism' in an email to tech billionaire Peter Thiel. The convicted paedophile wrote three days after the referendum: 'Brexit, just the beginning.' Thiel asked 'Of what,' and Epstein replied: 'Return to tribalism, counter to globalisation, amazing new alliances.'
The tranche of over three million documents also includes allegations that Labour peer Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive information from the heart of government to Epstein. In 2009, Mandelson allegedly forwarded an internal No 10 email to Epstein that included an assessment of the UK economy after the financial crisis, suggesting the government had 'saleable assets' to sell to reduce debt.
Reform UK and the SNP have reported the 2009 email to the police. The Metropolitan Police said on Monday they would examine reports of alleged misconduct in a public office to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.
The Liberal Democrats have called for a statutory inquiry into how Epstein gained access to British political figures. Party leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'The victims of this scandal and their families deserve the full truth and to see those responsible held to account.' He added that a full public inquiry with powers to compel witnesses is essential to restore public trust.
