Summary: The US Department of Justice’s release of more than 3 million Jeffrey Epstein documents has intensified scrutiny of former Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor), Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandelson. The files include emails, financial records and undated photographs that raise questions about Epstein’s access to Britain’s royal family and government; the materials themselves do not prove criminal conduct. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged cooperation with investigators, Mandelson has resigned from Labour and faces possible police inquiry, and authorities in both the UK and US are continuing to review the evidence.
Epstein Files Rock Britain: New DOJ Documents Raise Questions About Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandelson
Newly released images from the US DOJ appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly Prince Andrew – on the floor with an unidentified person. - US Department of Justice/Handout
The US Department of Justice's release of more than 3 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has intensified scrutiny of three high-profile British figures—former Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor), his ex‑wife Sarah Ferguson, and peer Peter Mandelson. The trove includes emails, financial records and undated photos that suggest Epstein had access to the heart of Britain’s royal circles and government, though the materials do not in themselves prove criminal conduct.
What the Files Contain
The documents comprise a wide range of material: email exchanges, financial ledgers, handwritten notes and a small number of undated photographs. Many entries refer to the three Britons repeatedly, prompting new questions about the nature and extent of their relationships with Epstein.
Prince Andrew / Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor
Mountbatten‑Windsor has long denied wrongdoing and said he cut ties with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction. Previously released emails raised doubts about that claim after apparent re‑contact in 2011; the new DOJ files include an August 2010 email exchange in which Epstein asks the former prince to meet a named — but redacted — “friend” in London, and Mountbatten‑Windsor replies he would be "delighted to see her."
The documents also include three undated photographs that appear to show the former prince kneeling over a fully clothed, redacted individual; one image shows him touching the person’s stomach and waist. No captions, dates or locations accompany the images, and the files do not by themselves allege criminal activity.
Sarah Ferguson, pictured in March 2023, said Jeffrey Epstein was her "supreme friend." - Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP
Mountbatten‑Windsor previously faced allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who accused him in her memoir of sexual abuse when she was 17; he has denied the accusations and reportedly settled a civil claim in 2022 for an undisclosed, multi‑million dollar sum. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2023.
Sarah Ferguson
Ferguson, the Duchess of York until her divorce from Andrew, appears in multiple emails that convey a close and affectionate correspondence with Epstein. Early files showed she called Epstein her "supreme friend," a revelation that led to her removal from several charity patronages. The new records include emails in which Ferguson thanks Epstein for professional introductions and, in one note, asks for urgent financial help.
The documents also show Epstein and his advisers discussing using Ferguson publicly to counter negative coverage. Ferguson has said she regrets her association with Epstein. Her charitable foundation, Sarah’s Trust, announced it would close "for the foreseeable future" following internal discussions.
Peter Mandelson
Former Labour minister and ex‑ambassador Peter Mandelson appears to have had frequent contact with Epstein. The documents include financial entries suggesting repeated payments to Mandelson's partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, and records that indicate Mandelson may have received sums from Epstein in the early 2000s; Mandelson’s office says it has no record or recollection of such payments and questions the authenticity of some documentation.
Peter Mandelson speaks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a welcome reception at the British ambassador's residence in Washington, DC, in February 2025. - Carl Court/Getty Images
More seriously, the files appear to show Mandelson sharing sensitive UK government material — including a 2009 memo about asset sales and notes on proposed tax measures — with Epstein. Those revelations have prompted reports to the Metropolitan Police and a potential criminal inquiry into alleged misconduct in public office. Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and is expected to leave the House of Lords.
Official Reactions and Investigations
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged anyone with information to cooperate with investigators; Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee have requested evidence from Mountbatten‑Windsor. London’s Metropolitan Police said it has received reports and will review whether the material meets the criminal threshold for investigation. Former prime minister Gordon Brown has provided information to police concerning the alleged leak linked to Mandelson.
Keir Starmer: "Anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim‑centered if you’re not prepared to do that."
What the Documents Do and Do Not Prove
The DOJ release adds new context and raises important questions about who Epstein knew and how he cultivated influence. However, mentioning a person in the files, or appearing in photographs without context, does not by itself establish criminality. Many entries are undated, redacted or lack corroborating details; journalists and investigators continue to piece together the timeline and verify records.
Next Steps
US congressional requests, police reviews in London and ongoing media scrutiny mean this story will evolve. Individuals named in the documents have issued denials or limited responses, and legal and parliamentary processes may follow depending on investigative findings.
Reporting contributed by CNN journalists Kara Fox, James Frater, Max Foster, Lauren Said‑Moorhouse and Eleni Giokos.
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