The extensive release of the 'Epstein Files' by the US Department of Justice has sent shockwaves through political and royal circles across Europe, exposing previously unknown connections and reigniting calls for investigations into high-profile figures. These revelations detail alleged financial crimes, misconduct in public office, and alarming associations with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has vehemently condemned Peter Mandelson's secret email contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, labeling them a 'crime' and a 'betrayal of everything we stand for as a country'. Brown, who harbors a long-standing political feud with Mandelson dating back to 1994, timed his comments with police searches of Mandelson's homes, amidst allegations he leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein while Business Secretary. Brown expressed feeling 'shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down' and highlighted the potential for 'huge commercial damage'. He also demanded constitutional reform to address political corruption. Mandelson's London and Wiltshire homes were raided by police investigating claims of misconduct in public office. Mandelson, who has not been arrested, stated he had 'no memory and no record' of the historical emails and felt his sacking as UK's ambassador to the US was like a 'drive-by shooting'. He claimed he was 'naive' in regarding Epstein as a 'good-faith actor' who 'provided guidance' to navigate into the world of commerce and finance, and denied any criminal intent or financial motivation. He later expressed profound regret for believing Epstein's lies. Further revelations showed Mandelson actively tried to help Epstein shut down a Mail on Sunday investigation into his friendship with Prince Andrew, advising him to engage a combative law firm (Schillings) and a PR expert (Stuart Higgins), and even drafting a press statement for the sex offender. Emails also indicated Mandelson's links to Oleg Deripaska, a Putin-linked oligarch, as Epstein explored buying a luxury Moscow apartment, with Mandelson offering to seek Deripaska's opinion on the property, despite prior warnings to MI6 about Moscow targeting Mandelson through his relationship with Deripaska and Epstein.

In France, Jack Lang, a former French culture minister, resigned as head of Paris’s Arab World Institute following revelations of his past contacts with Epstein and the launch of a financial investigation. French prosecutors opened an inquiry into Lang and his daughter, Caroline Lang, on suspicion of 'aggravated tax fraud laundering' after their names appeared in the Epstein files. Caroline Lang also resigned from France’s Union of Independent Producers after emails showed she co-founded an offshore company with Epstein in 2016 to invest in young artists, which she claims to have left in 2019 upon further allegations against Epstein. She was also named as a beneficiary of €5 million in Epstein's will, a claim she denies any knowledge of. Jack Lang, mentioned over 600 times in the files, denied wrongdoing, stating he was 'shocked' to appear in the offshore company's statutes and appealed to Epstein as a philanthropist. He maintained he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior despite his 2008 conviction, describing Epstein as 'courteous, charming, so generous' and expressing shock at the 2019 allegations.

The Epstein Files also brought renewed scrutiny to Prince Andrew, with bombshell emails revealing he entertained Epstein and four women, including a young Romanian model and a Russian model, at a private dinner at Buckingham Palace in September 2010 while Queen Elizabeth was away. Epstein described the Romanian woman as 'very cute' and told her Andrew thought she was 'beautiful', adding, 'No man looks at your clothes, they see through them.' Following the event, Epstein wrote to Andrew, 'Great fun, more later', to which Andrew replied, 'Yes please!'. These revelations have intensified calls for the Metropolitan Police to launch a criminal investigation into Andrew and raised questions about what royal courtiers knew. The Mail on Sunday unearthed further files showing Andrew allegedly orchestrated a campaign to smear Epstein's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, involving the Metropolitan Police and a senior royal aide, even sharing her confidential US social security number for investigation. The Romanian woman, in Epstein's orbit since 2008 as a student, reportedly had her rent and dental bills paid by Epstein, who also helped her secure a job in the UK. This marks the first time an Epstein victim has claimed a sexual encounter took place in a royal residence, prompting Thames Valley Police to review an allegation of Epstein sending a woman to Royal Lodge for sex with Andrew.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice, was revealed to have inherited at least $10 million from secret trusts established by her father, Robert Maxwell, dispelling previous assumptions that she was penniless or amassed wealth solely from Epstein. Documents from JPMorgan Chase indicated her bank account was closed due to her association with Epstein, and that her wealth originated from her late father, including real estate and artwork. This stands in contrast to the scandal surrounding Robert Maxwell's theft from the Daily Mirror's pension funds. FBI documents further claimed that her older brother, Kevin Maxwell, allegedly introduced her to Epstein under their father's instruction to 'move money'. Intriguingly, an email from Epstein suggested he believed Robert Maxwell was murdered for threatening Mossad with exposure of secrets unless he received £400 million.

Another senior Labour figure, Lord Waheed Alli, also appeared in the Epstein Files. Emails showed Lord Alli on guest lists for Epstein dinners in New York in 2010 and mentioned alongside Peter Mandelson staying at Shelter Island in the Hamptons in 2012. Lord Alli's lawyer denied any knowledge of or communication with Epstein. As a significant Labour donor, Lord Alli's inclusion has added to Sir Keir Starmer's discomfort, particularly following a 'freebies row' in 2024 where it emerged Lord Alli had provided Sir Keir with designer suits and spectacles, and lent him an £18 million penthouse. Lord Alli's deep influence within the Labour Party, dating back to 1997, and his substantial donations underscore the breadth of connections revealed by the Epstein documents.