Newly revealed emails show Peter Mandelson helping Jeffrey Epstein fight media scrutiny over his ties to Prince Andrew in the UK

Newly uncovered emails reveal that former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson secretly advised convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein on how to fight a groundbreaking Mail on Sunday investigation into Epstein’s ties with Prince Andrew.

This extraordinary revelation sheds light on just how far some high-profile figures went to contain the fallout from the scandal.

Just days after the newspaper published its first interview with Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s accuser, Mandelson began guiding Epstein on strategies to “fight back.”

The emails suggest that Mandelson’s involvement went beyond casual advice—he recommended a combative law firm and even suggested public relations support from a former editor of the Sun newspaper.

Behind the Scenes: Drafting Statements and Legal Strategies

Mandelson, often dubbed the “Dark Lord” for his political spin skills, reportedly helped Epstein draft press statements as part of a broader PR strategy.

He advised that Epstein needed to work with Schillings, a high-profile London law firm known for defending oligarchs and celebrities, and to “start setting down the irrefutable facts, build a narrative and then fight back.”

The emails also indicate Mandelson suggested a possible PR consultant, Stuart Higgins, former editor of the Sun, though Higgins denied ever being contacted.

Despite these maneuvers, the damning allegations about Epstein’s abuse of Virginia Giuffre were already public and widely reported.

The Royal Connection and Police Involvement

The Mail on Sunday first revealed in 2011 how Prince Andrew involved both the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth’s senior aides in efforts to discredit Giuffre.

In one shocking message, Andrew reportedly asked his taxpayer-funded personal protection officer to investigate her, even providing her US social security number.

This was part of a wider campaign to challenge the claims Giuffre made about being sexually exploited and abused by Epstein over many years, including her trips to meet Andrew in 2001.

Photographs from those encounters, including one showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre’s exposed waist, continue to cast a long shadow over the former prince.

Emails Expose Mandelson’s Deep Involvement

On the eve of a major Mail on Sunday story revealing FBI plans to reopen its investigation into Epstein, Mandelson was in direct contact with Epstein.

He advised him on legal representation, PR approaches, and even media messaging strategies.

Mandelson’s emails included instructions like: “Any statement [should] not name Ghislaine as owner.

But [should] be made very clear that phone book does not belong to you,” referring to Epstein’s infamous Little Black Book, which contained Mandelson’s contact numbers.

Despite his guidance, Mandelson later claimed in interviews that he was unaware of the full scope of Epstein’s crimes.

He told the BBC that victims were “disempowered within that system” and insisted he would not have sent such emails if he had suspected Epstein’s abuse.

Public Reactions and Legal Implications

Mandelson’s role adds another layer of controversy to the Epstein saga.

While he expressed regret for believing Epstein’s lies and said he only learned the full truth after Epstein’s death in 2019, critics argue that his advice may have helped Epstein temporarily shield himself from scrutiny.

The Met Police, meanwhile, chose not to pursue a criminal investigation into Andrew, leaving Giuffre’s family frustrated and highlighting how powerful networks complicated justice.

What’s Next?

As these emails continue to circulate, pressure is likely to mount for greater transparency about the connections between high-profile figures and Epstein.

Legal analysts suggest that while Mandelson himself may face no charges, public scrutiny could lead to parliamentary inquiries or renewed investigations into how political influence may have affected reporting on Epstein’s crimes.

Media outlets are also revisiting archival reporting, including the Mail on Sunday’s 2011 coverage, to ensure the historical record fully captures the systemic failures that allowed Epstein to operate for so long.

Summary

Newly released emails reveal Peter Mandelson actively advised Jeffrey Epstein on legal and media strategies to counter the Mail on Sunday’s investigation into Epstein’s abuse and his links with Prince Andrew.

Mandelson suggested law firms, drafted press statements, and offered PR guidance, even as shocking details of Epstein’s abuse emerged.

Despite Mandelson’s later claims of ignorance, these revelations highlight the influence and intervention of political figures in one of the most notorious abuse scandals of recent history.

The fallout continues, raising questions about accountability, media integrity, and how the powerful shielded themselves from scrutiny.