Do friends of rich people have no shame?

Yes, look at those men who treat women like crap but would kill a man who did that to their own daughter.

Because these were not friendships, they were transactional relationships. Epstein had access to young girls and money. His "friends" had access to connections and social power.

Everyone here does realize that you can be completely disgusted at Epstein and his peadophile famous friends AND question the details like the PP has done?

Just because she is asking a question about this does not mean she is equally appalled by the larger issue. Seems like this concept may evade some people.

I think there were favours being done in return for the money, maybe even just keeping quiet.

I guess: Epstein makes it known he's keen to give favours, the payoff is policy influence- it's a way to give gifts to a politician without it being so traceable?

I think they were probably dumb and thick enough to imagine they knew enough about Epstein and that he’d be easy to pressure for money because of it. Just enough sense not to outright blackmail him, and gushing emails to keep him on the hook.

I imagine they thought that if it came down to it they would be believed not him. After he was convicted, and they’d seen him just get a slap on the wrist, because someone influential had pulled the right strings, they probably still thought they had the upper hand. He’d be so grateful they’d stuck with him that of course he’d stump up cash.

Epstein probably asked for things in person that we’ll never find out about because he kept paper trails but he didn’t leave them. I for one think it went way beyond sexual exploitation.

A lot of people aren’t bothered about sexual abuse as long as it isn’t happening to them, look at all the people who support rapists and sexual abusers in their own families.

I saw that photo on facebook and didn't think it looked much like Andrew, frankly. It looked like something cobbled together and was bizarre.

Apart from that, it does seem to have a been a completely different world to the one most people, including well off people, occupy. Totally hedonistic, like something out of a potboiing novel or TV drama from years ago.

I think Sarah Ferguson and Peter Mandleson are two shameless people generally. Boris Johnson is the same - remember he borrowed money off a rich friend to pay for decorating No10. Very odd.

Are we sure all of that money was a gift?
Epstein's main line of work was as a financial advisor so speaking about money was a given.
I assume that Epstein edvised on investments, controlled accounts etc etc.
Epstein seemed to attract wealthy, well known people (handy for investing) who, in turn, helped attract more wealthy investors.

Epstein spent money on Fergie, it seems, but gained a contact who would help garner more business. He was a businessman. Shrewd, sly, successful, charismatic and now, if we are to believe it, connected to espionage!

Dumbos Andrew and Fergie were duped, clever people were duped; possibly blackmailed etc etc. With hindsight, Fergie and Andrew are a disgrace, going to Epstein for financial worries. We are yet to know how Epstein offered his baits. Did he make it sound like their investments were doing so well that it was hardly any favour at all?

Andrew should spill all that he knows to authorities investigating the abuse of women by Epstein.
Pictures show Andrew on a firstaid course, so far, and Fergie chatting on and over sharing with a financial advisor who was "well respected' by the wealthy of the World..

These appalling people live in an ethical, moral, and self-awareness vacuum. If they are happy to hang out with a paedo they’d think nothing of taking money from him - indeed, that might be the very reason they want to be friends with him - for what he can give them. Sex and money and power are everything to them.

vulnerable to blackmail and a blatant security risk
> or is he?
That IS simply what he wants the people to believe
> gets in the paper, story written - gets paid for the exposure

Peter Mandelson has always lived beyond his means, going right back to the first time he resigned for lying about his income on his mortgage application. (how many times is it now?)

He's always been vulnerable to blackmail and a blatant security risk.

It is what it is
>stupid is as stupid does

Do you 'do' Duolingo by any chance?!!

No shame. Because they're not accountable.

And the plebs still line up to meet them. Shame on the stupid plebs.

Well the whole set-up was completely repulsive. The repulsive rich friends leeching off the repulsive peodaphile was just one aspect of it. I imagine the King is feeling relieved he acted when he did with respect to Andrew.

anybody CAN be entitled people - it is easy to be, entitled
If that IS the persona you want to create for yourself - entitled

I thought exactly the same. my husabnd had a lot of money and didnt let me use small sums when needed but Mandelson surely had 10K if my teacher husband has £80 K stashed away

@Wafflesandcrepesyou think Farage isn’t doing exactly the same with Trump and god knows who else? It’s not the party it’s the little perverted men !

Quite!

I want to know where are all the other people, why just Andrew, Fergie and Mandelson?

And that photo of Andrew kneeling down, I wouldn’t have recognised him and it does slightly look as if he is checking on someone passed out on the floor. Not saying he is innocent but I want them to concentrate on other people too

Oh I think we’re all judging the being friends with a paedophile! and worse, knowing what he was doing and being complicit. No doubt that’s the main story, but it doesn’t mean the smaller details aren’t interesting.

the asking for money is one of those odd details that hints at why Epstein was able to get away with it.

OP asking questions about these seemingly ‘small’ things can actually provoke interesting responses and a deeper understanding of the psychology of this involved

That’s what I can’t get my head around.

Imagine forgetting someone had given you 75k!

if you choose to believe they actually ‘forgot’ , then it means that asking people for cash must be a regular occurrence!

These requests for cash were bribe payments for Mandy's influence , surely. As well as fergies requests for cash, the same.