Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in No 10 on advice of Peter Mandelson, documents reveal | Tony Blair

Sir Tony Blair met Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street while he was prime minister, on the advice of Peter Mandelson, according to newly released documents from the National Archives.

Epstein visited Blair on 14 May 2002, following a recommendation from Lord Mandelson to the prime minister’s then private secretary, Jonathan Powell.

Mandelson was removed from his post as US ambassador in September after new information emerged about how close he was to the convicted sex offender.

At the time the advice was made, Mandelson was a backbench Labor MP but still served as a trusted ally of Blair. Just over a year ago, he resigned from the government for the second time amid controversy. He described Epstein as “trustworthy” and a “friend” to Powell in an email before the meeting.

Powell is now Keir Starmer’s national security adviser. His role in the collapse of a Chinese espionage case is being questioned.

According to documents published on the BBC, a briefing note prepared by senior civil servant Matthew Rycroft stated that Epstein was a friend of Mandelson and then US president Bill Clinton, and was also close to Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Blair’s spokesman said the meeting was “long before his time”. [Epstein’s] his crimes were known and he was later convicted”.

A government spokesman said Powell made the request only as chief of staff.

Epstein pleaded guilty in June 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution. He died in prison in 2019.

The publication of the documents was blocked by government officials due to concerns that it could affect UK-US relations. However, the National Archives released the document as a result of a freedom of information request.

BBC Reported email from Mandelson to Powell a week before the meeting he said: “Remember when Clinton had TB? [Tony Blair] Did he say he wanted to introduce his traveling companion, Jeffrey Epstein, to tuberculosis?

“TB said at the time that it was disappointing – TB is in office for reasons he himself is unclear about. I think TB would be interested in meeting Jeffrey, who is also a friend of mine, as Jeffrey is an active scientific catalyst/entrepreneur as well as someone who has his finger on the pulse of many markets and currencies around the world.

“He’s young and energetic. He’s safe (whatever that means) and Clinton is doing a lot of traveling with him right now.”

Mandelson continued: “I told TB Jeffrey would be in London next week and he said he wanted to meet him.

“I’ve learned that Jeffrey is flexible – he can be here at any time to accommodate the diary starting on Tuesday – but he needs to be informed fairly quickly to reschedule accordingly. Can you let me know?”

Rycroft, who will serve as permanent secretary at the Home Office until 2025, later said about Epstein in his briefing on the day of the meeting: “He is a financial advisor and property developer to the super-rich. He is a friend of Bill Clinton and Peter Mandelson.”

He added: “Epstein’s background is that he was very rich and close to the Duke of York.”

He continued: “Peter says Epstein is now traveling with Clinton and Clinton wants you to meet him.”

A spokesman for Blair said: “As far as he can remember, Mr Blair met him for less than 30 minutes in Downing Street in 2002 and discussed US and UK politics.

“He never met or spoke to her afterwards. This was, of course, long before his crimes were discovered and he was subsequently convicted.”

A government spokesman said: “Jonathan Powell made the request and had no other role.”