Former Labour Cupboard minister Peter Mandelson was pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in his Paris residence a 12 months after the billionaire financier had been charged with intercourse crimes.
The beforehand unseen {photograph}, which has been printed by The Solar, exhibits Tony Blair’s former spin chief with Epstein as he blows out candles on a birthday cake.
The picture was reportedly taken inside Epstein’s house in Paris’s Avenue Foch in August 2006.
This was after Epstein had been formally charged with soliciting a girl for prostitution in August 2006.
While police at that time had uncovered proof he had abused underage ladies, a US grand jury refused to indict Epstein on fees of sexual relations with minors.
He ultimately pleaded responsible to procuring a toddler for prostitution in 2008 – after he was pictured with Lord Mandelson.
Nevertheless, earlier than the picture was taken, information articles had alleged that the tycoon had engaged in intercourse acts with minors.
There is no such thing as a suggestion that Lord Mandelson was conscious of the allegations about Epstein on the time the picture was taken.
Former Labour Cupboard minister Peter Mandelson was pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in his Paris residence a 12 months after the billionaire financier had been charged with intercourse crimes
The beforehand unseen {photograph}, which has been printed by The Solar , exhibits Tony Blair’s former spin chief at a celebration for the convicted paedophile (pictured above in 2005)
A supply informed The Solar: ‘This demonstrates how astonishingly shut Peter Mandelson was to Jeffrey Epstein, at the same time as his crimes had been being uncovered.
‘Peter undoubtedly has inquiries to reply over this.
‘It additionally shines a lightweight on the cosy relationship Jeffrey, Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and Peter shared throughout this era.’
Lord Mandelson is seen within the {photograph} with a glass of wine in entrance of him. He’s carrying {a partially} unbuttoned shirt.
Lord Mandelson has been approached for remark by MailOnline.
Lord Mandelson is seen in The Solar’s picture smiling alongside Epstein as he watched him blow out candles on a big birthday cake at his house (pictured) in Paris’s Avenue Foch
On the time, he was the European Commissioner for Commerce and went on to function Enterprise Secretary in Gordon Brown’s authorities.
The politician had been launched to Epstein by Ghislaine Maxwell, who additionally launched Prince Andrew to the the billionaire financier.
Maxwell was discovered responsible final month of trafficking younger ladies to Epstein for him to abuse them.
In 2011, after Epstein had been convicted of kid intercourse fees, it emerged that Lord Mandelson featured within the financier’s ‘little black e book’ – a contacts file of highly effective figures from the worlds of royalty, politics, enterprise and superstar.
Prince Andrew’s accuser Virginia Roberts claimed to have remembered seeing Lord Mandelson on the financier’s city home in New York.
Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson additionally beforehand labored collectively, when the Duke was a particular consultant for commerce and funding. Above: The pair in 2007
Andrew and Lord Mandelson additionally beforehand labored collectively, when the Duke was a particular consultant for commerce and funding.
In 2019, an acquaintance of Lord Mandelson stated he had met Epstein on ‘nor greater than 5 – 6 events’.
Lord Mandelson stepped down as a Member of Parliament in 2004 after twice resigning from the New Labour authorities, together with following a monetary sleaze probe.