Freshly released files from the United States government relating to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein have triggered political repercussions in Europe and revived long-standing questions about the responsibilities of prominent figures who were part of his social circle, including whether his long-time associate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, should cooperate with American investigators.
The developments follow the Justice Department’s decision to begin publishing a vast archive of Epstein-related material, shedding new light on his interactions with influential individuals across politics, business, and global institutions in the years after he served jail time in Florida for sex crimes. The disclosures have intensified scrutiny not only of Epstein’s network, but also of how authorities handled investigations into his conduct over nearly two decades.
In one immediate political consequence, Slovakia’s prime minister accepted the resignation of Miroslav Lajcak, a senior official who previously served as president of the United Nations General Assembly for a one-year term. Lajcak was not accused of any criminal wrongdoing. However, photos and emails included in the newly released documents showed that he had met Epstein after the financier’s release from prison, prompting mounting political pressure and leading to his decision to step down.
The revelations have also reignited debate in the United Kingdom over the role of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a long-time acquaintance of Epstein. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly suggested that Mountbatten-Windsor should provide any information he has to US authorities examining Epstein’s activities and associations. Despite repeated requests, the former prince has so far declined to comply with a request from members of the US House Oversight Committee for a transcribed interview about his relationship with Epstein.
The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, has said it plans to release more than three million pages of documents, along with over 2,000 videos and approximately 180,000 images. The disclosure is being carried out under a law designed to make public most of the material gathered during years of federal investigations into Epstein and his associates.
Among the documents posted on the department’s website are records detailing Epstein’s friendship with Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as email exchanges with a wide range of prominent figures. These include former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, and well-known billionaires such as Bill Gates and Elon Musk. The files illustrate the breadth of Epstein’s access to elite political, business, and philanthropic circles.
Other materials offer insight into multiple investigations into Epstein, including the probe that led to federal sex trafficking charges against him in 2019 and the subsequent conviction of his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021. They also revisit an earlier inquiry that uncovered evidence of Epstein abusing underage girls but failed to result in federal charges at the time.
In Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed that he had accepted Lajcak’s resignation from his role as national security adviser. Emails show that Epstein invited Lajcak to dinners and meetings in 2018, contacts that Lajcak has said were connected to his diplomatic responsibilities. Nonetheless, opposition parties and a nationalist partner in Fico’s coalition demanded his removal, arguing that the association was politically damaging.
The newly released records also include correspondence suggesting meetings between Epstein, Lajcak, and other influential figures. One March 2018 email from Epstein’s office invited former Obama White House general counsel Kathy Ruemmler to a gathering that would include Epstein, Lajcak, and Steve Bannon, highlighting the financier’s continued engagement with powerful actors even after his criminal conviction.
Details from a draft indictment included in the files further underscore the gravity of Epstein’s abuse. According to the records, the FBI began investigating him in July 2006, and prosecutors expected to indict him in 2007 after multiple underage girls told authorities they were paid for sexualised massages. The draft indictment suggested that charges were being prepared not only against Epstein but also against several of his personal assistants.
Interview notes released as part of the disclosure describe disturbing allegations from employees at Epstein’s Florida estate. One worker told the FBI in 2007 that he had been instructed to deliver flowers to a high school student and perform tasks such as laying out cash, placing a firearm in Epstein’s bedroom, and cleaning up after encounters with young girls. Despite this evidence, Epstein ultimately avoided federal prosecution after a controversial plea deal approved by then–US attorney Alexander Acosta, who later served as Trump’s first labour secretary.
The files also reveal numerous references to Mountbatten-Windsor in Epstein’s private emails, including a 2010 exchange in which Epstein appeared to arrange a dinner date for him with a young woman. The correspondence has added to calls for the former prince to clarify the extent of his relationship with Epstein and assist investigators.
The Justice Department’s handling of the document release has itself drawn criticism. Advocacy groups representing Epstein’s victims have said the disclosures risk exposing survivors’ identities while failing to provide adequate transparency about individuals who may have enabled Epstein’s crimes. Lawmakers such as Jamie Raskin have urged the department to allow Congress to review unredacted versions of the files to assess whether redactions were applied appropriately.
Overall, the newly released records reinforce how deeply Epstein was embedded in elite circles before his arrest, renewing public debate over accountability, institutional failures, and whether those who associated with him should now cooperate fully with ongoing investigations.
