It started as just another transatlantic flight.
Alastair Campbell, former communications chief for Tony Blair, was heading to the U.S. for a funeral when he spotted a familiar face on board—Ghislaine Maxwell.
The two had known each other for years, dating back to his time working at the Daily Mirror under her father, media mogul Robert Maxwell.
As they caught up mid-flight, Maxwell suddenly turned to Campbell and asked, “What are you doing tonight?”
When he said he didn’t have plans, she casually suggested, “Do you want to come and meet my boyfriend?”
The Invitation to Epstein’s Lavish Manhattan Home
Later that evening, Campbell found himself walking into a grand Manhattan townhouse—none other than Jeffrey Epstein’s now-infamous £63 million residence, the same one where Prince Andrew had once been photographed leaving.
The place was overwhelming in its luxury, filled with ornate decor, expensive art, and a certain old-world elite vibe.
“It reminded me of an old university alumni club,” Campbell said on his podcast The Rest Is Politics.
“It had that sort of ‘gentlemen’s club’ feel—very posh, very exclusive.”
Face-to-Face with Epstein and His Gallery of Power
Campbell recalled how Epstein sat behind a massive desk that reminded him of the one in the Oval Office—the iconic Resolute Desk.
On the walls were photos of Epstein posing with some of the most powerful figures in modern history.
“He had pictures with just about every president in my lifetime,” Campbell noted, though he couldn’t confirm whether Trump’s photo was among them.
While he was left alone with Epstein for about an hour, Campbell admitted he began to feel uneasy—not because of any suspicion of the horrifying allegations that would later emerge, but due to Epstein’s demeanor.
“He was a big name-dropper,” he said.
“He just gave off a bad vibe. Arrogant. Sly.”
Reflections on Ghislaine Maxwell and Her Background
Though their paths diverged long ago, Campbell said he once knew Ghislaine Maxwell quite well.
He remembered her as someone full of energy, wit, and charisma.
“I always thought she was funny, lively… I even felt a bit sorry for her,” he said, referencing the difficult relationship she reportedly had with her father.
“Her dad was a monster, and I think that left its mark on her.”
Their unexpected reunion on that flight had been their first conversation in years.
It also led to his one and only meeting with Epstein—and ultimately, his name appearing in the financier’s now-infamous “black book,” although Campbell humorously pointed out that his name had been misspelled.
Surprise and Disappointment as the Truth Came Out
Looking back, Campbell said he wasn’t shocked that Epstein turned out to be deeply entangled in scandal.
“He seemed like a sleazeball,” he admitted. But what did catch him off guard was Maxwell’s involvement.
“I was surprised by her. But then again, when you have a parent like hers, it can really mess you up.”
Campbell also reflected on the legal aftermath and how Maxwell is currently the only one behind bars.
“It’s pretty staggering that she’s the only one who’s gone to jail,” he said, noting she might be seeking to reopen her case, possibly arguing she was protected by some prior legal agreement.
A Final Word: No Excuses, Just Observations
Campbell was careful to clarify that recalling his personal experiences with Maxwell isn’t a defense of her actions.
“Saying she was warm and engaging when I knew her isn’t the same as excusing what she did,” he said.
“I’d never try to justify her role in what happened with Epstein.”
For him, it was a one-time encounter that took a bizarre turn—and a night that would later gain an eerie significance as the truth about Epstein’s crimes unraveled.