Former Taoiseach Casts Doubt on Mitchell-Epstein Relationship Details
Former Irish premier Bertie Ahern has publicly questioned the clarity surrounding the connection between former US Senator George Mitchell and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a revealing interview, Mr Ahern suggested the exact nature of their association remains ambiguous despite references appearing in the latest tranche of Epstein files released by American authorities.
Mitchell's Role and Regret
George Mitchell, who famously chaired the negotiations that culminated in the landmark 1998 Good Friday Agreement, has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his acquaintance with Epstein. A spokesperson for Mr Mitchell recently reiterated to the BBC that the senator "profoundly regrets ever having known Jeffrey Epstein" and unequivocally condemns the harm Epstein inflicted. The spokesperson further emphasised that Mitchell never observed or had knowledge of any illegal conduct involving underage women.
This statement follows the removal of a bust honouring Mr Mitchell from the grounds of Queen's University Belfast, where he served as chancellor for a decade from 1999 to 2009. The institution's action underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding any association with the Epstein case.
Ahern's Personal Perspective on Mitchell
Drawing on his decades-long professional relationship with Mitchell during the peace process negotiations, Mr Ahern told Newstalk Breakfast that he had examined the matter closely. "I don't see what he has done," Ahern stated, referencing a handful of emails whose provenance is uncertain. "There's a few emails which are unclear whether they were coming from him or they were coming from Epstein, so that's not clear."
He acknowledged the vast scale of documentation released, noting he hadn't reviewed all five million pages, but observed that Epstein appeared to have attempted interactions with countless individuals globally. Regarding the limited email correspondence between Mitchell and Epstein, Ahern remarked, "God knows what they were about." He also pointed out that FBI file redactions make it unclear whether any contact persisted after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, adding, "If he did, he shouldn't have – but it's not clear."
Mandelson's Ties Pose 'Big Problem' for Starmer
Mr Ahern reserved sharper criticism for Lord Peter Mandelson, whose connections to Epstein have created significant political difficulties for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Ahern described the situation as a "big problem" for the Prime Minister, particularly given Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson as British ambassador to Washington in 2024. Mandelson was dismissed from that role last year following earlier Epstein file releases.
"I think Starmer is in a real difficulty because he knew that he carried on these contacts – that's bad enough I suppose," Ahern said. The controversy has deepened with the launch of a criminal investigation into allegations that Lord Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to Epstein.
Ahern expressed astonishment at the appointment, stating, "It is fairly extraordinary to put him in one of the most senior positions in Washington – the UK ambassador – when you knew his track record." He wryly noted Mandelson's tumultuous career, saying, "He's been fired more times than most people would have in two lifetimes."
Concerns Over Confidentiality and Character
The former taoiseach highlighted the severe implications of the allegations, given the principle of Cabinet confidentiality. "The stakes could not be higher for the Prime Minister," Ahern asserted. "Giving away any information to third parties, giving any information outside of the jurisdiction, giving it to somebody with Epstein's record, I mean, it's almost unbelievable."
Reflecting on his own dealings with Lord Mandelson during the latter's tenure as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ahern offered a candid character assessment. "Mandelson, to be at my most polite, was a tricky guy to deal with," he recalled. "You really had to check everything and double check everything. I dealt with several secretaries of state – most of them straightforward, most of them up front, most of them give you the line fairly straight. But I'm afraid Mandelson wasn't that kind of an individual."
The interview underscores the lingering political fallout from the Epstein scandal, touching figures across the Atlantic and raising persistent questions about judgement, association, and accountability in high office.
