New Epstein File Release Unleashes Political Shockwaves in United Kingdom
Massive U.S. Department of Justice disclosure triggers resignations, police reviews and fresh allegations involving a senior UK politician and members of the royal family
The latest release of more than three million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by the U.S. Department of Justice has triggered significant political and legal fallout in the United Kingdom, challenging the integrity of key public figures and intensifying scrutiny of past relationships with the disgraced financier.
The files, published under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, comprise emails, financial records, images and other materials that have drawn fresh attention to links between Epstein and senior British figures, as well as new allegations involving a member of the royal family.
Lord Peter Mandelson, a veteran British politician and former ambassador to the United States, resigned his membership of the Labour Party after documents appeared to show he received payments from Epstein and may have exchanged sensitive information during his tenure as a senior minister.
Mandelson has denied wrongdoing but stepped aside to prevent further embarrassment and faces mounting pressure to quit the House of Lords altogether.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged him to cooperate with authorities and called for reforms to strengthen mechanisms for removing peers accused of misconduct from Parliament.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it would review reports alleging misconduct in public office arising from the newly released documents, including claims that Mandelson leaked confidential government information to Epstein, a charge that carries serious potential penalties under UK law.
The ramifications of the file release extend to the British royal family.
Legal representatives for a second woman have come forward alleging that Epstein arranged for her to travel to the United Kingdom in 2010 for an encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.
Lawyers are urging King Charles’s legal team to offer a formal apology and ensure fair compensation for alleged victims linked to Andrew’s association with Epstein.
This allegation follows the previously disclosed ties between Epstein and Andrew’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, with the files showing extensive correspondence and financial interactions over several years.
Buckingham Palace has previously expressed sympathy for abuse survivors while noting that Andrew has been stripped of titles and residences and has denied all wrongdoing.
The publication of the files has sparked wider debate within UK politics over transparency and accountability.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and leaders from other parties have called for a comprehensive inquiry into the newly revealed correspondence and the circumstances under which sensitive government information may have been shared.
With pressure intensifying from both political leaders and law enforcement reviews, the release of the Epstein files continues to reverberate through Westminster and beyond, raising questions about the vetting of public officials and the enduring impact of Epstein’s network of influence.