Bombshell Epstein files: ‘A’ from Balmoral asked for ‘inappropriate friends’

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New York: Bombshell new Jeffrey Epstein files reveal Ghislaine Maxwell sought to procure “intelligent, pretty and fun” women in Peru for her friend Andrew, while a person calling themselves “A” at Balmoral Castle asked Maxwell whether she had found him some “new inappropriate friends”.

The documents are contained in a large data disclosure from the US Department of Justice that also contains references to and claims about President Donald Trump that the department called “unfounded and false”.

Then-Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) – who accused Andrews of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 – and Jeffrey Epstein’s then-personal assistant Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001.

Then-Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) – who accused Andrews of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 – and Jeffrey Epstein’s then-personal assistant Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001.

One of the files, a 2020 email from the assistant US attorney in New York, tells an unnamed person: “For your situational awareness, wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump travelled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware), including during the period we would expect to charge in a Maxwell case.”

But the more explosive files appear to relate to Maxwell’s friendship with then-Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he was stripped of his royal titles over his association with Maxwell and Epstein.

In August 2001, a person using the pseudonym The Invisible Man – and signing off as “A” – emailed Maxwell saying they were “up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family”.

“How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?” he asked. “Let me know when you are coming over as I am free from 25th August until 2nd Sept and want to go somewhere hot and sunny with some fun people before having to put my nose firmly to the grindstone for the Fall.”

Then in March 2002, Maxwell emailed The Invisible Man – at a slightly different email address – to show him the contents of a message she had sent to someone (who was not identified). “Thought you would like to see what I sent,” she wrote.

In the forwarded message, Maxwell appears to seek women for some “two-legged sightseeing” during her friend Andrew’s upcoming trip to Peru.

“I just gave Andrew your telephone no. He is interested in seeing the Nazca Lines. He can ride but it is not his favorite sport ie pass on the horses,” she wrote.

“Some sight seeing some 2 legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families) and he will be very happy. I know I can rely on you to show him a wonderful time and that you will only introduce him to friends that you can trust and rely on to be friendly and discreet and fun.

“He does not want to read about any trip in the papers whom or what he saw. Call me if you have any questions – otherwise you can expect a very English sounding gentleman on the phone to call up and say hi. I told him it would be best if he made his plans directly with you.

This photograph – redacted and released by the U.S. Department of Justice – shows Andrew laying across several people’s laps with Maxwell standing nearby.

This photograph – redacted and released by the U.S. Department of Justice – shows Andrew laying across several people’s laps with Maxwell standing nearby.Credit: AP

“The only part that I am jealous about is that he will get to see you and that he will be in Peru and have you as his tour guide for a day.”

Then-Prince Andrew visited Peru just days later on a trip associated with Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee. Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied wrongdoing and has not publicly commented on the release of the latest files. He quit his public duties five years ago and in October was stripped of his royal titles and honours.

The latest documents appeared in a large trove of new material published by the US Department of Justice to comply with laws requiring the full release of the so-called Epstein files.

Epstein, who was convicted of child sex offences in a 2008 plea deal, died in jail awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell was convicted and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The Trump administration has been criticised by Democrats and some Republicans for failing to release all the files by the December 19 deadline, and for the large number of redactions in the released material. Trump, who was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, appeared relatively infrequently.

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The Justice Department said on Wednesday (AEDT) it had released nearly 30,000 pages of documents related to the criminal investigation into Epstein.

“Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” the department said.

“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponised against President Trump already.

“Nevertheless, out of our commitment to the law and transparency, the DOJ is releasing these documents with the legally required protections for Epstein’s victims.”

When contacted for comment, the White House referred to the Justice Department’s statement.

Donald Trump and his now-wife, Melania, with Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.

Donald Trump and his now-wife, Melania, with Epstein and Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.Credit: Getty

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