Newly released emails from the US Department of Justice show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sent £10,000 to Reinaldo Avila da Silva, the partner of Labour peer Lord Peter Mandelson, in 2009. The documents are part of a massive release of around three million pages linked to the Epstein investigation.
The emails show Da Silva asking Epstein for financial help to cover the cost of an osteopathy course. He shared his bank details and thanked Epstein for any support. Epstein replied within hours and confirmed that he would send the money right away. The next day, Da Silva confirmed that the funds had arrived in his account.
Timing Raises Questions
The email exchange took place in September 2009. This was one year after Epstein pleaded guilty in the United States to soliciting prostitution from a minor. At the same time, Lord Mandelson served as UK business secretary and acted as a key figure in Gordon Brown’s Labour government.
There is no claim that Da Silva took part in any illegal activity. He later married Lord Mandelson in 2023.
Mandelson Responds
Lord Mandelson said he has already addressed his past relationship with Epstein in media interviews. He stated that he has nothing further to add. Earlier this month, he told the BBC that maintaining a friendship with Epstein after his conviction was a serious mistake.
In a separate statement, Mandelson issued a personal apology to Epstein’s victims. He said he wrongly believed Epstein after the conviction and regretted continuing contact with him. He stressed that he had no involvement in Epstein’s crimes and only understood the full scale of abuse after Epstein’s death.
Fallout From the Relationship
In December 2024, the UK government appointed Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Less than a year later, officials removed him from the role. The dismissal followed reports that he had sent supportive messages to Epstein after the conviction.
Downing Street said it knew about Mandelson’s past connection with Epstein at the time of the appointment. However, officials later learned new details that showed the depth of the relationship. That information led directly to his removal from the post.
