Cambridge Business School Advisor Resigns Over Epstein Email Revelations
A secretive German business consultant who acted as an intermediary between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew has resigned from the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School with immediate effect. David Stern's departure follows revelations from newly-released emails that detail his extensive relationship with the disgraced financier.
Extensive Epstein Connections Revealed
David Stern's name appears a staggering 7,461 times in the so-called 'Epstein files', where he referred to himself as a 'soldier' and the convicted child sex offender as his 'general'. The emails reveal Stern maintained close contact with Epstein even after the financier's 2009 release from prison, where he had served time for procuring a minor for prostitution.
The communications continued until at least 2017 and included sexually explicit messages, with Stern known as the 'man in the palace' for keeping Epstein updated about Prince Andrew's movements. The relationship extended to business discussions, with Stern apparently suggesting Epstein invest in music company EMI because the industry 'related to P' – a derogatory euphemism Epstein used to refer to women.
Cambridge Position and Immediate Resignation
Stern, 48, was appointed to the advisory board of Cambridge Judge Business School in January 2018. The prestigious institution delivers programs including the Cambridge Management Studies Tripos, Master of Business Administration degrees, and eight PhD courses. However, he resigned with 'immediate effect' after the school was approached by Private Equity News magazine about his Epstein connections.
A spokesperson for Cambridge Judge Business School confirmed: 'David Stern has resigned from the advisory board of Cambridge Judge Business School with immediate effect.' The school did not clarify whether it had previously been aware of Stern's ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019.
Royal Connections and Business Ventures
The emails reveal Stern's close relationship with Prince Andrew, including a 2013 photograph showing Stern with the former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. Another image from 2016 captured Stern sitting beside Queen Elizabeth II at a Pitch@Palace event. That same year, Stern was appointed director of Andrew's Dragons' Den-style business venture but resigned shortly after Epstein's death.
Despite this, Stern remained a director of the St George's House Trust at Windsor Castle until 2022, an organization dedicated to fostering 'wisdom through dialogue' to achieve 'trust, equality and peace'. He had been given this position in 2016.
Business Discussions and Political Connections
The released correspondence shows Stern and Epstein discussing various business opportunities, including investments in China and recommendations to buy Deutsche Bank in 2016. One particularly disturbing exchange involved Stern apparently asking Epstein to be godfather to one of his children in 2016, though Epstein declined the request.
The emails also reveal attempts to involve former Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in Epstein's potential EMI investment. Epstein emailed Mandelson saying: 'Please email me bens contact info.. or havehim cal me re emi.' Mandelson appeared to respond: 'Gave to [redacted]. Email is [redacted]. Talk re EMI ??'
A spokesman for Lord Mandelson stated: 'Lord Mandelson regrets, and will regret until to his dying day, that he believed Epstein's lies about his criminality. He did not discover the truth about Epstein until after his death in 2019.'
International Dimensions and Current Whereabouts
The Epstein files indicate Prince Andrew appeared to try arranging a meeting between Epstein and Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2010, when Andrew served as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade. Epstein emailed Stern about Gaddafi: 'asked me if I want to meet him as he does not know where to put his money.'
Stern, who operated through his company Asia Gateway (later Witan Group) advising European firms on Chinese investments, is currently understood to be residing in the United Arab Emirates. He was contacted for comment but has not provided a statement regarding the email revelations or his resignation from Cambridge.
