Leaked Email Sparks Outrage
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and ex-wife of Prince Andrew, has defended a leaked email to Jeffrey Epstein, claiming she only wrote it after receiving a menacing phone call from him.
Charities Cut Ties
The message, first reported by the Mail on Sunday, showed Ferguson privately apologising to Epstein despite publicly distancing herself from him. The revelation led to several charities severing links with her.
Epstein’s ‘Hannibal Lecter-Style’ Threat
Her spokesperson, James Henderson, told the Telegraph that Ferguson felt pressured to act after Epstein threatened her family in a chilling phone call.
‘He Said He Would Destroy Us’
“It was a chilling call,” Henderson said. “He told me he would destroy the York family and he was quite clear on that. He said he would destroy me.”
Cold and Menacing Tone
According to Henderson, Epstein did not shout but used “a Hannibal Lecter-type voice” that was calm, cold, and “really menacing and nasty.”
Protecting Her Daughters
Ferguson’s representative said she was motivated by fear for herself and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who are also part of the York family.
Public vs Private Stance
While Ferguson had publicly vowed to disown Epstein, the leaked email revealed a very different tone, with her privately apologising to him.
Loan Controversy
Ferguson had previously admitted that accepting a $20,000 loan from Epstein was “a gigantic error of judgment.”
Contradictory Message
In the email, she told Epstein she was sorry for criticising him in public and described him using unusually warm language.
Direct Apology
“I know you feel hellaciously let down by me from what you were either told or read and I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that,” Ferguson wrote.
‘Supreme Friend’
She also referred to Epstein as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend” in the message.
Fallout from the Revelations
The tone of the leaked correspondence sharply contrasted with her earlier public remarks, leading to mounting criticism.
Charities Drop Support
Several charities that had worked with Ferguson quickly cut ties following the disclosure, citing reputational damage.
Pressure on the York Family
The scandal added further embarrassment to the York household, already under scrutiny due to Prince Andrew’s long association with Epstein.
Defensive Explanation
Her representatives insisted the Duchess’s language was strategic and intended to placate Epstein in light of his threats.
Critics Remain Unconvinced
Despite her defence, critics argue that praising Epstein was unnecessary and raised questions about her judgment.
Epstein’s Shadow
The controversy highlights how Epstein’s reach and intimidation tactics ensnared powerful figures, even after his reputation was in tatters.
Continued Scrutiny
Ferguson, who still lives with Prince Andrew, remains under close public scrutiny as questions over her ties to Epstein persist.
