Emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Reinaldo Avila da Silva were among more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice as part of the ‘Epstein files’
Paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein transferred thousands of pounds after Lord Peter Mandelson’s husband requested him to cover his osteopathy course fees, according to documents.
The emails were part of over three million documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, known as the “Epstein files”. They revealed conversations between Epstein and Reinaldo Avila da Silva, the spouse of the former UK ambassador to the US, about paying a fee for him to attend the British School of Osteopathy.
On 7 September 2009, Mr Avila da Silva sent Epstein a message saying: “I sent you a couple of emails last week regarding my osteo course expenses, incl fee, anatomical models, lap top if you can help me with this. I hope you received them.
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“I just managed to speak to the fees office at the osteo school and confirmed that my annual fee is of £3,225.” He then explains the school accepts bank transfer and provides the account details before thanking Epstein for “anything you can help me with”.
Epstein responded later the same day: “I will wire your loan amount immediated’y (sic).” Mr Avila da Silva followed up with another email which mentions a £10,000 transfer.
He said: “Just sent an email back to Rich regarding the £10,000 with my personal bank details. I would like to clarify if this amount includes my school fees or if the amount of £3,225 (school fee) will be sent directly to the school itself.”
Epstein informed him: “includedd (sic)” before Mr Avila da Silva sent him another email days later expressing his gratitude for the money.
“Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning,” he penned.
These recently unearthed exchanges follow Lord Mandelson’s apology earlier this month to Epstein’s victims for maintaining his friendship with the convicted paedophile financier. In 2008, Epstein admitted to soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor, but Lord Mandelson confessed that he believed his excuses and continued to back him.
In a statement issued on January 12 to the BBC’s Newsnight, the politician admitted: “I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.”
He has attempted to distance himself from Epstein, but emails have exposed the depth of their friendship even after the conviction. Emails revealed he advised Epstein to “fight for early release” just before he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
It is also reported that he told Epstein “I think the world of you” the day before the disgraced financier began his jail sentence.
Lord Mandelson has suggested that Epstein excluded him from the “sexual side” of his life because he was gay. When approached for a comment by the Press Association on Friday, Lord Mandelson responded with the same statement he had previously given to BBC Newsnight after his appearance on the programme earlier this month.
He stated: “I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.
“I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the actual truth about him after his death. But his victims did know what he was doing, their voices were not heard and I am sorry I was amongst those who believed him over them.”
