Tories are asking if a dead pedophile brokered a huge bank deal. Senior Conservatives want to know if Jeffrey Epstein facilitated talks for JP Morgan's purchase of Royal Bank of Scotland assets back in 2010, when Labour's Peter Mandelson was business secretary. They cite a later JP Morgan report with emails where Epstein claimed he set up meetings between Mandelson and the bank's then-CEO, Jes Staley. This happened after Epstein's first conviction for soliciting a minor.
The government's response looks shaky. Business minister Kate Dearden said finding any records on Mandelson, Epstein, and the Sempra deal would cost too much. But shadow minister Mike Wood got confirmation that records from that time are electronic and searchable by keyword. Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake called the cost excuse not credible, saying it fuels suspicions Labour has something to hide.
The Treasury stated its own search found no evidence Epstein contacted its officials about the sale, noting it oversaw the bailed-out RBS, not the business department. A source close to Mandelson called the allegations nonsense, denying any meetings with Epstein and any role in the transaction. Mandelson was later fired as UK ambassador to the US over his Epstein ties, while Staley was banned from UK finance for his Epstein links. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, with recent document releases keeping focus on his powerful connections.
The government's response looks shaky. Business minister Kate Dearden said finding any records on Mandelson, Epstein, and the Sempra deal would cost too much. But shadow minister Mike Wood got confirmation that records from that time are electronic and searchable by keyword. Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake called the cost excuse not credible, saying it fuels suspicions Labour has something to hide.
The Treasury stated its own search found no evidence Epstein contacted its officials about the sale, noting it oversaw the bailed-out RBS, not the business department. A source close to Mandelson called the allegations nonsense, denying any meetings with Epstein and any role in the transaction. Mandelson was later fired as UK ambassador to the US over his Epstein ties, while Staley was banned from UK finance for his Epstein links. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, with recent document releases keeping focus on his powerful connections.
