Tony Blair Met Jeffrey Epstein at Downing Street in 2002

Published: 11 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Newly released documents reveal that former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair met the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein at Downing Street in 2002, six years before Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor. The meeting, which lasted less than 30 minutes, was reportedly arranged at the urging of Lord Peter Mandelson, a close political ally of Blair.

The details emerged following the publication of a secret memo authored by senior civil servant Matthew Rycroft on 14 May 2002. The memo briefed Blair about Epstein, describing him as a “super-rich” individual with influence in international markets and politics. At the time, Blair was serving as prime minister, and the briefing outlined Epstein’s connections to prominent figures, including former US President Bill Clinton and members of the British establishment.

According to a BBC report, the meeting did indeed take place at 5pm on the day of the briefing. A spokesperson for Blair confirmed to The Telegraph that the conversation lasted “less than 30 minutes” and focused primarily on US and UK politics. They emphasised that Blair had no subsequent engagement with Epstein after the meeting.

Lord Mandelson, who later resigned as a US ambassador following scrutiny over his own links to Epstein, was instrumental in facilitating the encounter. At the time, Mandelson was a backbench MP, having resigned twice from Blair’s Cabinet, but he maintained significant influence behind the scenes. Emails released alongside the memo show Mandelson corresponding with Jonathan Powell, Blair’s chief of staff, describing Epstein as “safe” and a “friend of mine.”

In one email dated 7 May 2002, Mandelson wrote: “I think TB [Tony Blair] would be interested in meeting Jeffrey, who is also a friend of mine, because Jeffrey is an active scientific catalyst/entrepreneur as well as someone who has his finger on the pulse of many worldwide markets and currencies. He is young and vibrant. He is safe (whatever that means) and Clinton is now doing a lot of travelling with him.”

The email continued, noting the flexibility of Epstein’s schedule and suggesting that Blair could meet him at a convenient time that week. The document also contained several hand-written notes, including one questioning the need for the meeting: “Do you want to do this… Because you wanted to see Clinton by yourself… I know very little more about him.”

The release of these documents had been delayed for decades. Under standard rules, government papers are made public 20 years after their creation, but the memo was previously withheld due to concerns about potential embarrassment for Britain and its international relations. Following a Freedom of Information request, the National Archives has now released the memo along with a related schedule titled “Trade and Industry Meetings with Industry,” which also references the meeting.

Rycroft’s briefing to Blair, marked “R” for restricted, outlined Epstein’s background and connections in detail. It described him as a financial adviser to the super-rich, a property developer, and a friend of both Bill Clinton and Peter Mandelson. The document also noted that Epstein was “very rich and close to the Duke of York” and highlighted his role in international economic and scientific discussions. The memo emphasised that Clinton himself had requested Blair meet Epstein, suggesting the encounter was intended to provide valuable insights into economic and scientific developments.

The context of the meeting is significant given Epstein’s later criminal convictions and his notorious network of powerful associates. While Blair’s spokesperson maintains that the conversation was brief and limited to political discussion, the documents illustrate the extent of Epstein’s reach into international circles, including the highest levels of government in both the UK and US.

Lord Mandelson’s advocacy for the meeting reflects the influence certain individuals wielded within Blair’s political circle. Mandelson framed Epstein as a figure of interest due to his entrepreneurial activities and connections in finance and science, portraying the meeting as an opportunity to engage with a globally influential figure. The correspondence with Powell underscores Mandelson’s personal assurance of Epstein’s trustworthiness, a claim that, in hindsight, carries weight given Epstein’s later criminal convictions.

The memo’s release has prompted renewed scrutiny of the Blair administration’s interactions with Epstein. While there is no evidence that Blair engaged in any wrongdoing, the revelation of the meeting adds to the broader historical record of Epstein’s extensive network of contacts. Analysts note that, at the time, Epstein’s reputation as a financier and scientific enthusiast may have obscured the darker aspects of his activities, allowing him to gain access to prominent political figures.

The hand-written notes on the memo also provide insight into the cautious approach within Downing Street. Questions about the necessity and potential risks of the meeting indicate that senior officials were aware of the sensitivity of introducing Blair to Epstein. Nonetheless, the meeting proceeded as scheduled, highlighting the complex interplay of political judgment, personal recommendations, and the allure of global connections.

In addition to briefing Blair on Epstein’s wealth and influence, Rycroft’s notes emphasised Epstein’s alignment with global economic trends and scientific initiatives, suggesting that the discussion would touch on matters beyond conventional political diplomacy. The focus on scientific and economic topics aligns with Mandelson’s description of Epstein as a “scientific catalyst,” underscoring the strategic framing of the encounter as professional rather than personal.

The release of this memo coincides with broader historical examinations of Epstein’s network and the access he gained to powerful individuals over several decades. Researchers, journalists, and historians have been keen to map the connections between Epstein and political leaders worldwide, examining how his influence extended across governments, corporations, and social institutions. This meeting with Blair represents a previously unconfirmed link in that network.

Despite the sensitive nature of the disclosure, Blair’s office maintains that there was no further engagement with Epstein after the 2002 meeting. The encounter is framed as a one-off discussion rather than an ongoing relationship, with the conversation limited to politics and international affairs. Nevertheless, the publication of the memo offers valuable insight into the workings of Downing Street at the time and the role of personal recommendations in shaping the prime minister’s engagements.

The memo also provides a glimpse into Lord Mandelson’s role as a facilitator of high-profile introductions, reflecting his broader influence within the Blair administration. By personally endorsing Epstein and arranging the meeting, Mandelson positioned himself as a gatekeeper to influential networks, highlighting the interplay between political judgement and personal networks in the highest echelons of government.

In conclusion, the newly released National Archives documents confirm that Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street in May 2002, following encouragement from Lord Mandelson. While the meeting was brief and reportedly focused on political and economic discussions, the revelation adds to the historical record of Epstein’s extensive network and the access he gained to influential figures. The memo and accompanying correspondence underscore the complexities of political decision-making, the influence of personal recommendations, and the enduring interest in mapping Epstein’s connections across global political and social spheres.