Jeremy Corbyn has declared himself “the only person in the Epstein files” who is proud to be mentioned, arguing that the references concern opposition to his political leadership rather than any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Labour leader made the remark during a relaxed live interview with US political streamer Hasan Piker at the ManiFiesta festival in Ostend, Belgium.
Piker jokingly suggested that modern politics was about collecting money from lobbyists and being close to Epstein and his associates.
Corbyn replied:
“I never get offered any of that stuff.”
After Piker expressed mock surprise, Corbyn added:
“But I’m in the Epstein files.”
Piker assumed that Corbyn was discussed negatively. Corbyn responded:
“I’m in the Epstein files. And the way I put it is like this: I’m the only person in the Epstein files that’s proud to be there, because they talk about how to get rid of me.”
The comment drew attention because appearing in documents connected to Epstein is normally treated as a source of embarrassment or suspicion.
In Corbyn’s case, however, the available evidence shows incidental political references rather than contact with the late financier and convicted sex offender.
What the files say about Jeremy Corbyn
The phrase “Epstein files” describes an enormous collection of emails, records, news articles, briefings and other material published by the US Department of Justice. It is not a list of Epstein’s associates or evidence that every person named in the archive knew him.
A Press Association fact-check examined a widely shared claim that Corbyn appeared four times in the released material.
It found that his name appeared in a newsletter included in emails discussing his Labour leadership and in a personal message sent to Epstein by a person whose identity was redacted.
That sender wrote:
“Oh and if Corbyn becomes PM we are moving to Portugal.”
The Peter Mandelson backdrop
Corbyn’s remark carries an additional political resonance because of Peter Mandelson’s well-documented campaign against his leadership.
In 2017, Mandelson publicly said he worked “every single day in some small way to bring forward the end” of Corbyn’s time as Labour leader.
He explained that his efforts could involve “an email, a phone call or a meeting”, according to contemporary reporting by The Guardian.
Mandelson’s extensive communications with Epstein subsequently became a major political scandal. He was removed as Britain’s ambassador to the United States in 2025 following the emergence of emails showing that he maintained contact with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction.
Further released material appeared to show Mandelson forwarding sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as business secretary in 2009. Those allegations led to demands for a wider investigation into his conduct.
There is nevertheless an important distinction. Mandelson’s hostility towards Corbyn is established, as are his communications with Epstein. That does not prove that the two men discussed or coordinated a plan to remove Corbyn.
The personal email highlighted by PA was sent by an unidentified person, not publicly attributed to Mandelson.
Hasan Piker describes ‘Corbynisation’
The exchange led into a wider discussion about what Piker called “Corbynisation”: the intense political and media scrutiny directed at public figures who challenge powerful interests.
Piker suggested that he was experiencing something similar because of his socialist politics and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Corbyn offered a concise assessment:
“You’ll get over it. It’s very painful.”
The pair then discussed some of the more unusual accusations made against Corbyn during his leadership, including newspaper stories about his bicycles and an allegation involving a pogo stick and a rabbit.
Corbyn said politicians facing that kind of coverage had to decide whether to rebut every story or concentrate on delivering a more positive message.
He argued that the most effective response was to build stronger political understanding and organisation at grassroots level.
Corbyn interviewed at ManiFiesta
The interview took place at ManiFiesta, an annual political and cultural festival organised around solidarity, community campaigning and left-wing politics.
The 2026 event was held in Ostend on September 12 and 13, with Corbyn and Piker both promoted among its guests. Belgium’s Workers’ Party was heavily involved in the programme.
Corbyn told Piker that he had taken part in a discussion about poetry and politics before helping launch a book based on his Gaza Tribunal project.
He praised the festival for combining political debate with music, sport, books and activities for families, arguing that politics should not be separated from everyday community life.
Corbyn is now the parliamentary leader of Your Party and continues to represent Islington North, the constituency he has held since 1983.
As The Daily Britain recently reported, he was among the British MPs barred from entering Israel following the UK Government’s new measures against settlements in the occupied West Bank.
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