"Follow the Money Trail": Peter Mandelson, Epstein, and the South Africa Push

On the night of March 5, 2010, Mark Lloyd sent a dinner invitation on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein to Russian models in London. The occasion was a private dinner for South African President Jacob Zuma at the Ritz Hotel. Lloyd told the invitees that Jeffrey had suggested them personally: "A friend of Jeffrey's is a friend of mine, so I have no hesitation inviting you to join us" (vol00009-efta00763363-pdf-0). One of them, a model named Vera represented by Select Model Agency, accepted. Epstein texted Peter Mandelson the same afternoon: "mark lloyd is havign dinner for zuma tomorrow night at the ritz, i have invited a beautiful russina named vera to attend" (EFTA02429722-0).

Mandelson was not going to the Ritz dinner. He was attending a separate meeting. The following day he texted Epstein from his BlackBerry: "Went well this afternoon. Ben booked for trip. I am also summoned to see Presdt Zuma tomorrow for private meeting. Do we like South Africa ??" (EFTA02528640-0). Epstein replied: "verymuch." Post-dinner, Lloyd wrote to Epstein: "[Vera] was a delight last night and enchanted all those she met. Her beauty apart, she displayed an elegance and natural charm that is a rare combination to find anywhere these days. So a very big thank you for the introduction... By the way, Jacob Zuma was much more impressive and engaging than I thought he would be!" (EFTA02427499-0).

Five months after the dinner, Mandelson sent Epstein the business framework for his new advisory firm, Global Counsel LLP, with the subject line "My first shot at crystallising business venture" (EFTA02408255-0). The document set out a two-category model: political advice to governments in Category 1, commercial advice with a political dimension in Category 2. Under Category 1, Mandelson listed his target clients explicitly: "South Africa, Qatar, China, in time." Epstein read the document and replied: "I have always suggested that the key is for you to follow the money trail. I m not sure reading this who pays you, and how much and for how long" (vol00009-efta00735721-pdf-1). Mandelson answered: "Of course I want to follow the money trail (if someone helps put me on it) but I also need a parallel business platform" (vol00009-efta00735628-pdf-1).

In September 2010, Epstein asked Mandelson for his schedule. Mandelson replied: "Here til 2am Monday, then south africa and congo til oct 5" (vol00009-efta00756307-pdf-1). During that Congo trip he met with Andely in person. On October 3 he wrote to him: "I was really pleased to see you again after all these years and to talk about the bank project. I think this is very exciting and will help the country open up more to the English-speaking world as well as be a source of finance for the country and the central african region" (EFTA02418964-0). The bank project was Andely's. Mandelson was joining it. Epstein had not yet been brought in. Two months later, Epstein told Mandelson he was planning his own Africa trip: "im scheduling an africa trip. dec 17." Mandelson asked where. Epstein's answer: "mali guinea senegal mozamique south africa" (EFTA01979393-0).

By January 2011, a specific deal had appeared. Philippe Jonnart wrote to Mandelson with a business plan for a new private bank in Congo Brazzaville, focused on oil and mining project financing, public oil fund management, and government debt transactions. Jonnart and Andely were in Johannesburg meeting with Nedbank and ABSA to establish South African banking partnerships. The Qatari funding source had already been identified. A December 30 briefing from Jonnart, forwarded by Mandelson to Epstein, named him: "the Qatari interlocutor Jean-Yves met with in Brazzaville was Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad, Managing Director & CEO, Qatari Diar" (EFTA02010575-0). Qatari Diar is Qatar's sovereign real estate and infrastructure fund. Ollivier had already met Ghanim in Brazzaville before Mandelson brought Epstein into the picture. Mandelson sent Epstein the full Jonnart briefing: "J, can you cast your eye and tell me what you think of this business plan" (vol00009-efta00901993-pdf-0), followed by the Nedbank meeting notes: "further info re bank" (EFTA01834155-0).

Andely was not just a business contact. Mandelson arranged for Epstein's Paris assistant to contact Andely directly and invite him to meet Epstein at his apartment at 22 Avenue Foch. In his introduction of Epstein to Andely, Mandelson wrote: "knows more about finance than anyone I know, is a good friend and totally trustworthy. You can be open with him" (vol00009-efta00560664-pdf-3). The meeting was set for January 25, 2011. Andely cancelled the same afternoon. His explanation: "I have been instructed by my Big Boss in Brazzaville to travel this afternoon to Brussels with a view of giving some support to the Ministry of Finance Team as to they have been negotiating a LT Loan with Belgian bankers." He added: "I will also report to Jean-Yves Ollivier and Peter Mandelson about this appointment cancellation" (EFTA02323024-0). Jean-Yves Ollivier is a French businessman who spent decades brokering deals between Paris and Francophone African governments, including the 1988 Angola peace process.

Two months later, Mandelson texted Epstein: "Now in Cape Town for a day..." (EFTA01779396-1). Whether the Congo bank project or the South Africa client mandate progressed is not documented in the archive.