Newly released documents from the National Archives have detailed a meeting between Sir Tony Blair and Jeffrey Epstein at Downing Street on May 14, 2002, during Blair’s tenure as Prime Minister. The papers indicate that the meeting was arranged following a recommendation from Peter Mandelson to Jonathan Powell, who was then Blair’s chief of staff. In an email preceding the encounter, Mandelson reportedly described Epstein as “safe” and a “friend,” also highlighting his financial status, connections to Bill Clinton, and association with the Duke of York.
A spokesperson for Sir Tony Blair stated that the former Prime Minister met Epstein for less than 30 minutes to discuss US and UK politics, emphasizing that this interaction occurred “long before his crimes were known of and his subsequent conviction.” The spokesperson added that Blair never met or engaged with Epstein again. A government spokesperson clarified that Powell’s action was limited to forwarding the request in his capacity as chief of staff. Powell currently serves as Keir Starmer’s national security adviser.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/11/tony-blair-met-jeffrey-epstein-in-no-10-on-advice-of-peter-mandelson-documents-reveal