The Lead Untangles: Who are the far-right figures mentioned in the Epstein files?
From Nick Candy to Elon Musk, we dig into who lurks within the Epstein files, and why they feature
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Note: Inclusion in the Epstein files does not in itself constitute evidence of wrongdoing.
While most of the reporting on the latest tranche of Epstein files to be released has focused on Peter Mandelson and the disgraced former Prince Andrew, they are not the full picture.
The Epstein files also reveal a web of connections involving figures on the global hard right, self-professed anti-elitist figures in UK politics and beyond.
Who is mentioned and why?
A number of high-profile, far-right figures are mentioned. It must be stressed that being mentioned in these files is not evidence of criminal wrongdoing. However, the context surrounding these messages are in the public interest.
Nigel Farage
Former MAGA strategist Steve Bannon, who appears to have exchanged thousands of messages with Epstein, boasted about his relationship with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
In a message sent to Epstein in March 2018, Bannon said that he had become “advisor to front [National]”, as well as Matteo Salvini, Italy’s interior minister at the time, the Alternative fur Deutschland [AfD] in Germany, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Farage in Britain. In another message, Bannon said “I’ve gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg.”
Farage’s name is mentioned some 37 times, though many of these mentions are duplicates from email chains or from news articles and documents within emails. Farage has denied ever meeting or speaking with Jeffrey Epstein. A spokesman for Reform UK said that “Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson.” And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
Nick Candy
Reform UK’s treasurer, the real-estate mogul Nick Candy, was mentioned in dozens of Epstein files. One message, sent to Candy in late 2004 by an unidentified person (whose email address is redacted in the file), says: “Hey Nick, it’s [redacted], Ghislaine Maxwell’s friend. We had dinner on Halloween.... I know, you probably never knew my surname. Hope all is well and you are having many exciting adventures.”
In Candy’s response, he addresses someone named Sarah, which appears to be Sarah Kellen, an American interior designer and associate of Epstein who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2008 plea deal in which Epstein pleaded guilty to procuring a child for prostitution. (But her legal representatives have said Kellen was one of Epstein’s victims).
Kellen emailed Candy: “So Ghislaine was very disappointed that you didn’t tell her you were coming into town! [Redacted] in Palm Beach now and hoping to be back in the city Thursday.
I will let you know as soon as it’s set and we’ll set a night to have dinner.” She later sent him an email saying she had been on Epstein’s island.
Tommy Robinson
Tommy Robinson is also mentioned in Bannon’s exchanges with Epstein.
On 3 July 2019, Epstein shared an article with Bannon, known to be a Robinson ally, reporting that the activist had been found guilty of contempt of court for live-streaming defendants accused of sexually abusing young girls in a 2018 trial. Bannon replied, calling Robinson the “‘backbone of England’”.
Epstein replied: “That’s why the pound so low”.
In August 2018, when Robinson was released from prison after being held on contempt charges, Epstein had messaged Bannon saying: “Tommy Robinson. !! good work”. Bannon replied, saying: “Thanks”.
Peter Thiel
The billionaire PayPal founder and Palantir CEO appears in the latest batch of files. One document appears to show Epstein emailing tech billionaire Peter Thiel, describing Brexit as “just the beginning”.
Thiel appears to respond: “Of what,” to which Epstein says: “Return to tribalism, counter to globalisation, amazing new alliances.”
Epstein adds: “You and I both agreed zero interest rates were too high, and as I said in your office. finding things on their way to collapse was much easier than finding the next bargain.”
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, who has been very vocal about the UK’s grooming gang scandal for one, appears to have had a much friendlier relationship with Epstein than previously known.
Emails in the files appear to show the two cordially messaging each other on two separate occasions to make plans for Musk to visit Epstein’s island. However, neither occasion appears to have ended in Musk visiting, due to logistical reasons.
“Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s area over the holidays. Is there a good time to visit?” Musk states on 13 December 2013.
Epstein replied: “Any day 1st - 8th . play it by ear if you want. always space for you.”
Musk then sent several emails relaying his schedule, and the two settle on 2 January as a date for the visit. The email exchange ends with Epstein telling Musk that he would need to remain in New York and sending his regrets that they could not meet. This is just one occasion.■
About the author: Ella Glover is the audience engagement editor at The Lead. She is also a freelance journalist specialising in workers’ rights, housing, health, harm reduction and lifestyle.
About The Lead Untangles: In an era where misinformation is actively and deliberately used by elected politicians and where advocates and opposers of beliefs state their point of view as fact, sometimes the most useful tool reporters have is to help readers make sense of the world. If there is something you’d like us to untangle, email ella@thelead.uk.
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