Emails included in the latest release show that Epstein wanted Ferguson to release a statement saying he was “not a pedo” and that she had been “duped” into believing false allegations about him by Civil Plaintiffs Attorneys from Florida.
In the exchange in 2011, Epstein asks publicist Mike Sitrick to “draft a statement in an ideal world Fergie would put out”.
“She knows what she was told was based on false hoods… She should out the newspapers on the offering of money for stories.”
Sitrick responds to Epstein’s request for the statement saying: “With pleasure.”
Ferguson has been approached for comment.
Speaking to reporters, Starmer was also asked about Epstein sending £10,000 ($13,692) to Lord Mandelson’s partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009, according to the documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
Lord Mandelson was appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the US in December 2024 but was sacked less than a year later, when it emerged he had sent supportive messages to Epstein following the conviction.
In an email to Epstein, da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for “anything you can help me with”.
Epstein replies a few hours later saying: “I will wire your loan amount immediately” and the following day da Silva writes: “Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning.”
Asked for a response, Lord Mandelson said he had been “very clear” about his relationship with Epstein in interviews with the BBC.
“I have nothing more to add,” said the Labour peer.
Asked by reporters, Starmer said he “was removed as ambassador in relation to the further information that came to light in September of last year”.
“I’ve nothing more to say in relation to Peter Mandelson.”
More than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images are included in the latest batch. Their release comes six weeks after a deadline mandated in a law signed by President Donald Trump.
Many of the documents are heavily redacted, with some files showing pages which are entirely blacked-out.
Democratic members of the US House Judiciary Committee have asked the Department of Justice for immediate arrangements to to the view the full case files, according to the BBC’s US media partner, CBS.
The formal inquiry said the need to review the paper is “urgent”, partly due to a forthcoming public committee hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi.
It says the panel has questions over why the justice department has only released half of the estimated pages related to Epstein.
Being named or pictured in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing. Many of those identified in other releases have denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.