• FBI memo links Epstein to Mossad; claims he trained as a spy under ex-Israeli PM Ehud Barak
• Starmer urges Prince Andrew to testify; uncensored, revealing images of young women spark outrage
• Slovakian PM’s aide resigns after texts released; Norwegian royal apologises for ‘poor judgement’

THE release of fresh documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has ensnared the international elite, triggering resignations and apologies from those who associated with the man, while also exposing grave failures in the US government’s handling of sensitive information.

The disclosure, comprising more than three million pages, images and videos, has implicated figures ranging from the British royal family and a Slovakian security chief to a Norwegian princess and the former Israeli leadership.

The files also sparked outrage after The New York Times reported that the release included dozens of underacted nude images of young women.

In the United States, cultural figures were also named. The New York Post reported that filmmaker Mira Nair, mother of New York City politician Zohran Mamdani, appeared in emails regarding a 2009 party at Ghislaine Maxwell’s home attended by Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos. However, subsequently circulated images of Ms Nair posing with Epstein and Bill Clinton, were debunked as being fake and AI generated.

In Britain, PM Keir Starmer increased pressure on the royal family, suggesting Prince Andrew should testify before the US Congress. The new files include photographs that appear to show Andrew kneeling over a female lying on the ground inside Epstein’s Manhattan mansion.

Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles amid earlier scrutiny of his ties to the convicted sex offender, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

The documents expose deep financial and social ties between Epstein and Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.

The files indicate Epstein later sought to use Ferguson to clear his name, urging her to state he was “not a pedo” and that she had been “duped” by false stories.

Documents also indicate that Peter Mandelson, a former senior British minister, forwarded internal government emails to Epstein regarding tax policy on bankers’ bonuses.

Starmer confirmed that Lord Mandelson was removed as the UK’s ambassador to the US after details emerged about his supportive messages to Epstein following the financier’s conviction.

“I’ve nothing more to say in relation to Peter Mandelson,” Starmer said. Mandelson has denied impropriety, stating his actions reflected government policy rather than personal favours.

Norwegian princess, Slovakian PM adviser

In Slovakia, the prime minister’s national security adviser, Miroslav Lajcak, resigned after files showed he exchanged texts with Epstein discussing “girls” and diplomacy.

According to the BBC, Lajcak texted Epstein in 2018 jokingly asking to be invited to “games”, prompting Epstein to reply regarding two women: “You can have them both”. Lajcak stated he resigned to avoid damaging the government politically.

The scandal reached Norway’s royal court, where Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued an apology. AFP reported that the files show she stayed at Epstein’s Florida home in 2013 and emailed him that he was “very charming”.

Mette-Marit admitted in a statement that she “showed poor judgement” and failed to vet Epstein’s background.

Mossad connection

Middle East Eye reported that an FBI memo contained in the files alleged Epstein “was close to the former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, and trained as a spy under him”, noting his links to Mossad.

Other records reportedly feature Epstein advising Barak to work with Palantir, a tech company funded by Peter Thiel.

The documents also detailed a bizarre transaction involving Muslim artifacts. According to Middle East Eye, emails from 2017 reveal that a UAE-based businesswoman arranged a shipment of the Kiswah, the sacred cloth which covers the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, to Epstein’s home.

Privacy breach

The release of the latest batch of files has also come under fire for compromising victim privacy. The New York Times reported that the Justice Department mistakenly published nearly 40 unredacted images showing the faces and nude bodies of young women or teenagers.

Annie Farmer, a survivor of Epstein’s abuse, told the newspaper the error was “extremely disturbing.”

“It’s hard to imagine a more egregious way of not protecting victims than having full nude images of them available for the world to download,” Farmer said.

The Justice Department removed the images after being notified by NYT and stated it is working to address victim concerns.

Democratic lawmakers have since demanded immediate arrangements to view the full case files, citing urgent questions about why only half of the estimated pages related to the investigation have been released.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2026