Egypt blocks Epstein-themed party; calls for Starmer’s exit mount as he stays defiant

Egypt blocked plans Tuesday for a nightclub event themed around US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious parties, and arrested its organizer, the interior ministry said.

The event, promoted as “A Day on Epstein’s Island,” had been scheduled for Tuesday. The event had been announced on social media with free entry for women, the ministry said.

Epstein, who died by suicide in a US prison in August 2019, has returned to the spotlight following the online release by the US government of 2.8 gigabytes of documents related to his case, including interrogation recordings, flight logs, and court files.

The documents mention European royals, diplomats, and former heads of state, renewing scrutiny of the network surrounding the disgraced financier, who had pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is one of the leaders facing pressure over the release.

He refused to heed calls to quit, even by the leader of his party in Scotland, pledging to fight on after his appointment of longtime Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as US ambassador plunged his government into crisis, with multiple resignations.

Women’s rights activist drew attention to Egyptian party

The statement by the Egyptian government added that the gathering in that country had been advertised “without obtaining the necessary permits from the competent authorities.”

Alongside the statement, authorities released blurred photos of the detained organizer as well as the promotional flyer.

When contacted by AFP using the phone number printed on the flyer, the nightclub insisted it had no connection to the event. One of the three DJs listed also denied any involvement.

The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing a women’s rights activist expressing outrage over the event’s theme, which she described as inappropriate given Epstein’s criminal history.

Starmer struggles to change the narrative

Under pressure over the appointment of a man whose close ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have come into full focus, Starmer has attempted to change the narrative.

But a demand from Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, for him to quit and the departure of a second senior aide in as many days did little to stop the questions over his judgment and ability to govern.

The resignation of communications chief Tim Allan followed the exit of Starmer’s closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who said he took responsibility for advising on the appointment of Mandelson to Britain’s top diplomatic role in the United States.

Despite Sarwar’s intervention, Starmer later received messages of support from his top ministers and some potential leadership rivals, and a positive reception at a meeting of Labour Party lawmakers suggested there would be no imminent move to oust him.

“After having fought so hard for the chance to change our country, I’m not prepared to walk away from my mandate and my responsibility to my country, or to plunge us into chaos, as others have done,” Starmer told the meeting, saying his focus was preventing the populist hardline right Reform Party, headed by veteran Brexit supporter Nigel Farage, from taking power.

“That is my fight, that is all of our fight, and we’re in this together.”

Scottish leader: ‘The distraction needs to end’

Earlier Sarwar, speaking in Scotland where Labour has seen its support slump since the 2024 election, said it was with a heavy heart that he had to defend Scotland and call for a change of leader in the UK capital, London.

“The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change,” he told a press conference.

In response, a Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer, elected last year, had “a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”

With his statement, Sarwar became the most senior Labour figure to call for Starmer’s resignation, and did little to quell a febrile mood in parliament in London’s Westminster.

Government borrowing costs rose, reflecting investors’ concerns that a more left-wing Labour leader, who was willing to borrow and spend more, could take over. The climb in yields, along with the value of the pound against the euro, later eased after the potential successors came out in Starmer’s support.

But Starmer received a show of support from his deputy, David Lammy, Finance Secretary Rachel Reeves, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, among others. Angela Rayner, his former deputy, who is seen as a leading leadership candidate, offered him her “full support.”

“I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end,” she said on X.

He was greeted with a round of applause from the Labour members of parliament, and one lawmaker who was at the meeting told Reuters: “He is safe for now.”

The new scandal over Mandelson, who was sacked as ambassador to the United States in September, came after the newly released files included emails suggesting Mandelson had leaked discussions on possible UK asset sales and tax changes to Epstein during the financial crash.

Mandelson has not commented publicly on allegations that he leaked documents, and did not respond to messages seeking comment. He is now under police investigation for alleged misconduct in office.

UK royal family says it will cooperate with probe of Andrew

The royal family has also been impacted by the documents, after emails suggested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor might have shared confidential British trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein.

Buckingham Palace said on Monday it was ready to support any police investigation into King Charles’ younger brother.

Mountbatten-Windsor, cast out in 2019 of the royal inner circle over his close relationship with Epstein, has faced fresh scrutiny since the recent publication.

“The king has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” a palace spokesperson said.

Emails suggest he shared official British trade documents with Epstein in 2010, after Epstein’s conviction for child sex crimes, leaking information from his then-role as an official government envoy.

The documents appear to show that Andrew forwarded Epstein reports about Vietnam, Singapore, and other places, which he had been sent in relation to an official trip.

Trade envoys are usually barred from sharing sensitive or commercial documents. The 65-year-old second son of the late Queen Elizabeth has always denied any wrongdoing and has not responded to requests for comment since the latest release of Epstein files.

Thames Valley Police said the issue had been reported to them and that they were assessing whether to formally investigate.

The palace added: “While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”

The king’s son, Prince William, and his wife Kate had said on Monday they were deeply concerned by the continuing Epstein revelations, in another pointed message from the royal family.

“Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,” their spokesperson told reporters ahead of the prince’s arrival on a high-profile trip to Saudi Arabia.