Explosive court documents have unearthed a previously hidden communication between former Labour minister Peter Mandelson and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, revealing the British peer offered strategic advice to the disgraced financier.
The correspondence, dated December 2015, shows Mandelson responding to an email from Epstein with the subject line "Fight early". In his brief reply, Mandelson wrote: "Fight early, I would say." This simple yet significant exchange suggests a level of familiarity between the prominent Labour figure and the American financier.
Context of the Communication
The email emerged amidst Epstein's ongoing legal battles following his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. At the time of this exchange, Epstein was facing renewed scrutiny and fresh allegations that would eventually lead to his 2019 arrest.
Mandelson, who served as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown and was a key architect of New Labour, has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein on several occasions but has consistently downplayed their relationship.
Political Repercussions
This revelation comes at an awkward time for the Labour Party, currently leading in polls ahead of the next general election. Opposition parties are already calling for transparency regarding the nature and extent of Mandelson's connections with Epstein.
A spokesperson for Mandelson stated: "Lord Mandelson had very limited contact with Mr Epstein over a number of years. This exchange was a brief response to an unsolicited email and nothing more should be read into it."
Broader Implications
The email exchange forms part of a larger trove of documents being released in connection with civil litigation against Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell. These documents continue to reveal connections between Epstein and various high-profile figures across politics, business, and royalty.
This development raises further questions about the extent of Epstein's network within British political circles and the nature of his relationships with prominent figures.
