Richard Branson told Jeffrey Epstein to ‘bring his harem’ the next time they met – as he gave paedophile PR advice after conviction for procuring minor for prostitution
Richard Branson told Jeffrey Epstein to ‘bring his harem’ the next time they met while giving the paedophile public relations advice after he was convicted for procuring a minor for prostitution.
The 2013 email exchange, released as part of three million Epstein files published by the US Department of Justice on Friday, showcases a warm relationship between the pair as they planned their next meet up.
The British billionaire, who strenuously denies any wrongdoing, reminisced about meeting the paedophile before offering him ‘public relations thoughts’ on Epstein’s conviction for procuring a child for prostitution.
In the email, sent on September 11, 2013, the Virgin Group founder wrote: ‘It was really nice seeing you yesterday. The boys in Watersports can’t stop speaking about it! Any time you’re in the area would love to see you.
‘As long as you bring your harem!’
The correspondence, which took place five years after Epstein pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting and procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution, appears to suggest Microsoft founder Bill Gates was willing to vouch for the paedophile as a ‘brilliant advisor’ – something he denies.
Mr Branson also gave Epstein advice about avoiding scrutiny for his conviction, which the Virgin founder says he was told by Epstein related to a consensual encounter with an individual ‘one day shy of 18’.
He wrote: ‘I think if Bill Gates was willing to say that you’ve been a brilliant advisor to him, that you slipped up many years ago by sleeping with a 17 and a half year old woman and were punished for it, that you’ve more than learnt your lesson and have done nothing that’s against the law since and, yes, as a single man you seem to have a penchant for women.
Richard Branson told Jeffrey Epstein to ‘bring his harem’ the next time they met in an email from 2013
Photographs of the men posing and smiling together were released in an earlier tranche of Epstein files
‘But there’s nothing wrong with that. Anyway something along those lines.’
A spokesperson for the Virgin Group said the word ‘harem’ was a term Epstein had used in reference to three adult members of Epstein’s team and Mr Branson would have never used it if he knew the full facts.
They also downplayed the two men’s relationship.
‘Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago, and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event,’ the spokesperson said.
‘When Epstein offered a charity donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting the donation, which uncovered serious allegations.
‘As a result of what the due diligence uncovered, Virgin Unite did not take the donation and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak with Epstein again.’
They added: ‘Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever – Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims.’
Epstein initiated the pair’s email exchange in 2013.
The disgraced financier wrote: ‘Nice seeing you, thanks for your hospitality. I appreciate your public relations thoughts.
In the email correspondence, from September 11, 2023, Mr Branson offered public relations advice and reminisced about meeting up
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He then offered to connect the Virgin chief with Thorbom Jagland, the former chair of the Nobel Prize Committee, before adding that he would remain ‘on the island’ until Christmas.
Mr Branson and Epstein were known to have a relationship and the late paedophile even displayed a framed photo of Branson, as well as other celebrities, on his mantelpiece at his New York townhouse.
Photographs of the men, who owned nearby Caribbean islands, posing and smiling together were released in an earlier tranche of Epstein files.
Appearing in the Epstein files alone does not indicate any wrongdoing.
Disturbing photos released in the Epstein files on Friday also appeared to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor crouching on all fours over a female lying on the floor.
In the three photographs, a man believed to be Andrew can be seen leaning over the woman who is sprawled face up with their arms spread out.
Like much of the material released in the Epstein files, it is unclear when or where the images were taken and no further context is given. Last month, a photo of Andrew lying on the laps of five women at Sandringham was released in another batch of files.
