Document Suggests Prince Andrew Shared UK Briefing on Afghan Investment Opportunities with Jeffrey Epstein
Newly disclosed material indicates the Duke of York forwarded official briefing notes to convicted sex offender amid scrutiny of past association
A document disclosed in recent court filings suggests that Prince Andrew shared a confidential United Kingdom government briefing on potential investment opportunities in Afghanistan with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, raising fresh questions about the nature of their association.
The material, reportedly included in a cache of communications examined as part of ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, indicates that the Duke of York forwarded or discussed a briefing he had received in his capacity as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.
The document refers to economic prospects in Afghanistan during a period when Western governments were seeking to encourage reconstruction and private sector engagement in the country.
Prince Andrew held the trade envoy role from 2001 until 2011, during which he undertook official visits abroad and received briefings from civil servants about potential commercial partnerships.
The newly surfaced material suggests that information from at least one such briefing was passed to Epstein, who at the time maintained extensive international financial connections despite his 2008 conviction in the United States for sex offences involving a minor.
There is no indication in the document that any investment transaction materialised as a result of the communication, nor that public funds were directly involved.
However, the disclosure is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Duke’s relationship with Epstein, which has previously been the subject of public and parliamentary concern.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a new statement in response to the document.
Prince Andrew has consistently maintained that he regrets his association with Epstein but has denied wrongdoing and any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct beyond what was publicly reported at the time.
He stepped back from public duties in 2019 following widespread criticism of his handling of questions about the relationship.
The latest disclosure emerges amid continuing legal reviews of Epstein’s business dealings and contacts.
While the document does not establish criminal liability, it adds to the body of evidence illustrating the extent of communication between the two men during a period when Epstein was seeking to re-establish himself in financial circles.
Officials have not indicated whether any internal review will follow, but the episode underscores the enduring political sensitivity surrounding Prince Andrew’s former public role and his past association with Epstein.
The material, reportedly included in a cache of communications examined as part of ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, indicates that the Duke of York forwarded or discussed a briefing he had received in his capacity as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.
The document refers to economic prospects in Afghanistan during a period when Western governments were seeking to encourage reconstruction and private sector engagement in the country.
Prince Andrew held the trade envoy role from 2001 until 2011, during which he undertook official visits abroad and received briefings from civil servants about potential commercial partnerships.
The newly surfaced material suggests that information from at least one such briefing was passed to Epstein, who at the time maintained extensive international financial connections despite his 2008 conviction in the United States for sex offences involving a minor.
There is no indication in the document that any investment transaction materialised as a result of the communication, nor that public funds were directly involved.
However, the disclosure is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Duke’s relationship with Epstein, which has previously been the subject of public and parliamentary concern.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a new statement in response to the document.
Prince Andrew has consistently maintained that he regrets his association with Epstein but has denied wrongdoing and any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct beyond what was publicly reported at the time.
He stepped back from public duties in 2019 following widespread criticism of his handling of questions about the relationship.
The latest disclosure emerges amid continuing legal reviews of Epstein’s business dealings and contacts.
While the document does not establish criminal liability, it adds to the body of evidence illustrating the extent of communication between the two men during a period when Epstein was seeking to re-establish himself in financial circles.
Officials have not indicated whether any internal review will follow, but the episode underscores the enduring political sensitivity surrounding Prince Andrew’s former public role and his past association with Epstein.
