Jeffrey Epstein explored buying a luxurious five-star resort close to Buckingham Palace to create his ‘London playroom,’ based on newly launched emails from US authorities. An affiliate linked to Prince Andrew urged the late financier to accumulate Dukes London in St. James’s Place, as detailed in 2010 exchanges from the Epstein recordsdata.
Put up-Conviction Lodge Curiosity
These communications adopted Epstein’s 2008 sentencing to 13 months in Florida for procuring a toddler for prostitution. The Mayfair property, famend for its cigar service provider and James Bond-inspired martinis, attracts high-profile visitors. Princess Diana was photographed departing the resort in 1996 after finalizing divorce phrases with then-Prince Charles.
Monetary Struggles Spark Discussions
Talks emerged as Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, proprietor by way of his actual property agency and lessee from the Crown Property, confronted mortgage challenges after buying the constructing. David Stern, later a director in a Prince Andrew-backed entrepreneur program, participated within the exchanges.
A redacted affiliate emailed Epstein: ‘Sultan talked about he owns the Dukes Lodge in London. Went to take a look. Nice location in St James, 90 rooms, 11 suites and Penthouse Suite. This we must always purchase from Sultan, make the highest your London residence, have room for plenty of P, and have full resort companies.’ Right here, ‘P’ generally refers to ‘pussy’ in Epstein correspondence.
Stern wrote to Epstein: ‘I used to be pondering of taking a look at precise rooms on the Duke tomorrow earlier than I fly, to verify how small they’re. Your London playroom on prime ground – after some renovation – continues to be one thing I like. Ought to I have a look at it: sure or waste of time?’ Epstein responded: ‘Look.’
Due Diligence and Shifting Plans
Epstein then directed monetary advisors to evaluate the resort’s worth and renovation prices. Homeowners shared inner projections with him and forwarded visitor complaints. He approached hotelier Giuseppe Cipriani for partnership however acquired a declination. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem invited Epstein to go to throughout his subsequent London journey.
Finally, improved funds led homeowners to desert the sale. Dukes London at the moment undergoes refurbishment.
Ongoing Epstein Recordsdata and UK Political Pressure
US Justice Division releases proceed from tens of millions of Epstein recordsdata pages, illuminating his elite connections. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration faces stress from emails displaying Peter Mandelson’s shut Epstein ties earlier than his US ambassador appointment.
Starmer apologized to victims, stating he was ‘sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies’ and his appointment resolution. He famous ‘none of us knew the depth of the darkness’ in Mandelson’s relationship, accusing him of deceptive vetters by implying minimal Epstein contact.
Strain mounts on Starmer to dismiss Chief of Workers Morgan McSweeney over the appointment. Downing Avenue resists, regardless of backbench warnings—together with from MPs Rachael Maskell, John McDonnell, and Barry Gardiner—that McSweeney’s retention threatens Starmer’s place.
