Jeffrey Epstein messaged associates about a BBC interview invitation he received in 2011, as questions intensified about his relationship with the British royal formerly known as Prince Andrew.
Epstein was approached by BBC Radio 4’s Today show about an interview in March 2011, according to millions of files released by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to the late sex offender. He did not end up appearing on the flagship UK radio show.
Epstein forwarded the invite on to Lord Peter Mandelson, the politician who served as the British Ambassador to the U.S. until he was fired last year for his links to Epstein. Mandelson, whose interactions with Epstein are under heavy scrutiny in the UK and have forced his resignation from the Labour Party, appeared to counsel his former friend against the BBC interview.
“No!!” Mandelson wrote after Epstein passed on the BBC Today invitation. Later in the day, Mandelson offered to discuss the matter. “Home if you want to talk,” he said.
The Today show’s interview editor approached Jack Goldberger, Epstein’s former attorney, about the sit-down on March 7, 2011.
The booker wrote: “We are keen to explore the possibility of conducting an interview with Mr Epstein, on the subject of the stories which are circulating, however inaccurately, about both him and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York; we’d be keen to hear from Mr Epstein first hand so that the various and at times, speculative reporting which is at large in the UK press can be better scrutinised?”
The email continued: “We are a programme that carries considerable weight and influence and which prides itself in being a first port of call for many of the most important and influential figures on the international stage.”
The BBC’s interview request came three months after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein were pictured together in Central Park, and three years after Epstein had been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Epstein also made another associate, thought to be Jean-Luc Brunel, aware of the BBC’s request. “BBC World had a picture of you with Andrew after comment that PM [prime minister David Cameron] was backing Prince Andrew,” wrote the person with “jeanluc” in their email address.
Epstein responded: “Yes … but his wife the duchesss [of York, Sarah Ferguson] that i have financilaly helped for fifteen years, said that she wants noting to do with a pedophile and child sex abuser, it has caused quite a stir„bbc news asked me on the today show [sic].” Brunel advised: “Don’t go.”
Although the interview never took place, the DoJ’s Epstein files do offer a window on what it might have looked like. They reveal Epstein participating in a video interview (thought to have been conducted by Steve Bannon), during which he is asked: “Do you think you’re the devil himself?” Epstein replied: “No, but I do have a good mirror”.
Eight years after the request to Epstein, the BBC was successful in landing a world exclusive interview on the scandal with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Emily Maitlis‘ Newsnight interview was generally considered to be a disaster for Andrew and went on to become the subject of Netflix film Scoop and Amazon Prime Video series A Very Royal Scandal.
“Do I regret that he [Epstein] has quite obviously conducted himself in a manner unbecoming? Yes,” Andrew said during a famous moment from the exchange. “Unbecoming?” responded Maitlis. “He was a sex offender.”
BBC News was approached for comment.
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