The first tranche of heavily redacted Jeffrey Epstein files has been dismissed as a 'complete cover-up' by experts and lawmakers. Thousands of documents were published by the US Justice Department, but much of the material is blacked out, with little context provided. Critics argue the release appears to protect certain political figures while targeting others.
Author Andrew Lownie, who wrote a biography of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, told the Mirror the release was 'tantalising' and had a 'political dimension', leaking material on Bill Clinton but not others. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the files were just a 'fraction' of what exists and seemed to 'protect certain political people' while highlighting 'political enemies'.
Photos of former President Bill Clinton were included, showing him swimming with Ghislaine Maxwell and relaxing in a jacuzzi. A Clinton aide, Angel Ureña, dismissed the images as 'grainy, 20-plus-year-old photos', insisting the release was not about Clinton but about shielding others. He distinguished between those who cut ties with Epstein after his 2008 conviction and those who continued relationships, placing Clinton in the former category.
Lownie also highlighted the role of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, whose photographs in the files show her with redacted individuals. He questioned why her links to Epstein had not been fully investigated, noting her relationship lasted longer than she claimed. 'How much did she know? Why hasn’t she been asked to give testimony?' he asked.
The US Justice Department said it will continue releasing hundreds of thousands of documents over the coming weeks, with redactions aimed at protecting victims' identities. Epstein is estimated to have abused over 1,000 young girls and women, some as young as 12.
