I suppose the logic now is that Maxwell will need to be pardoned next week as she is the victim of a hoax.
Except we know that Epstein had a plane that made repeated trips, and therefore there are flight logs. Its simply impossible for the Epstein files to not exist.
Though if Trump was involved, and if the girls are still alive, why haven't we seen more come forward?
I don't think it's Trump, but a close associate, donor(s) or family member may be on the list in some fashion. Not enough to bring down the government but enough to do the MAGA movement a lot of damage but I think that the Trump team may be realising that the damage being done now is worse than just coming clean and drawing a line under it.
My guess is that right now they are cleaning it as much as they can and they're trying to lower expectations so when they do finally release it in a few weeks they can say "see, told you there was nothing to worry about". The MAGA crowd may be gullible enough to buy it too.
Remember it was a last minute volte-face on releasing the Epstein files, so presumably something important buried deep in the footnotes where a bright intern found it just days ago.
That suggests it is not Trump, as he'd be the first name they'd have looked for, and not anyone else famous as they'd have been the second to 76th names looked for.
I'd like to believe the rumours Epstein was working for the CIA, KGB or Mossad, one of those anyway, or possibly two, but I can't make it work. (Shades of Cap'n Bob Maxwell!)
Robert Maxwell introduced Epstein to his daughter Ghislaine.
What Maxwell and Epstein were doing working together I will leave you to ponder.
Why would anyone ever introduce their daughter to that creep. Robert Maxwell must have known what kind of person Epstein was, wouldn't a person do whatever it takes to keep him away fron their daughter?!
Didn't Maxwell steal the Mirror pension fund? AIUI he also got a top notch funeral in Israel for his efforts for Israel. Perhaps Ghislaine was only continuing in the family business of Kompromat. (Segue into MAGA conspiracy theory while Leon is asleep)
While on Israel, I see it has been noted that the US asked Israel to stop bombing Syria on 15th July. Then they bombed the next day. Perhaps Bibi didn't get the memo or doesn't think Trump will be about for long.
Still have my bet that Trump doesn't last the term, so might be influenced by that.
As depraved as Epstein was, it is quite possible that the "p*ssy grabber" was and is, a worse human being.
We still have three and a half more years of this venal and disgusting man in office. By the end of it, it will take industrial levels of cleaning to get the slime out of the White House. Mind you, by then, the US economy will be a quarter less valuable than it is now.
The Times mentions £50k+ each and possibly thousands of clients.
We were told here yesterday that the rescued Afghans now had a 'debt of honour' to the UK.
Looks like they're trying to pay it by grifting even more money.
Being on that email really was the golden ticket for some.
On further golden ticket news:
One Afghan in a family of four will cost taxpayers about £1.25 million over three years if they are put into MoD transitional accommodation, including a hotel.
It costs half that amount if social housing is found for them instead, according to government figures
So £200k per year for social housing for a family of four Afghans ???
Where's this social housing ? Mayfair, Belgravia or South Kensington ?
Also, what possible MoD transitional housing costs £400,000 plus pounds per.
I increasingly think that we have two parallel financial systems in this country,
There's the one I, everyone I know and my employer is in.
And then there's the one the government is in.
Two parallel views of economic reality more like.
One where the government says it hasn't raised taxes on working people despite hugely increasing them on farmers, small business owners, employees, entrepreneurs, etc. etc. And where it says it's a pro-growth government despite snuffing out our fragile economic recovery and drowning businesses in red tape. And where it lies that there was a £22 billion black hole that they didn't know about, even though the figures were published and open for anyone to inspect. And where it pretends that Rachel Reeves, the lightest of lightweights, is up to perhaps the most difficult job in the country.
And a surprising number of people still buy into their blatant lying gaslighting.
Except that's all wrong. The taxes have gone up on people inheriting land (not farmers, as not all own the land they farm, particularly in Scotland), large business owners (not small business owners, who in many cases have seen their taxes cut as a result of the increased employment allowance), and there have been no direct tax increases on employees.
There's no doubt that some of the changes they have made are likely to have a negative effect on employment, as discussed at length on here, but it's a bit rich of you to talk about "blatant lying gaslighting".
Employers NI is a direct tax on Employees.
It is quite literally a direct tax on the employees wages and affects those prices as a result. Just the same as fuel duty is a direct tax on fuel, or alcohol duty is a direct tax on alcohol and affects those prices.
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
Anyone know if it's worth doing an online MSc in data analytics or similar from a non big name uni such as Uni of North Wales?
I graduated from Open Uni with a bio degree but have struggled to get a decent paying lab job... (Currently work as a science tech in a school). Im hoping a change in career would boost my earnings....
IMO, no. This is an area that AI / ML is already eating for lunch. And there has been a glut of data science graduates, because a few years ago it was thought to be a great opportunity because big data, everybody wants to moneyball their business, so loads of unis created masters in it.
Yeah I didn't think so? Do you recommend any careers that are actually growing fast that I could change to? I don't mind paying for study if it's worth it.
How old are you? Within 5 years will be enough, I'm not trying to doxx you
I'm much much older than the average recent grad. Hence wanting to get my salary up quick.
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
They should have sent said special forces to do more than just ask him nicely to pull down his Facebook post. Maybe we should have sent PB's resident Postman Pat, given his recent postings, I think they would have sorted them out.
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
The only way back for them is if Reform disintegrates.
I suppose the logic now is that Maxwell will need to be pardoned next week as she is the victim of a hoax.
Except we know that Epstein had a plane that made repeated trips, and therefore there are flight logs. Its simply impossible for the Epstein files to not exist.
Though if Trump was involved, and if the girls are still alive, why haven't we seen more come forward?
I don't think it's Trump, but a close associate, donor(s) or family member may be on the list in some fashion. Not enough to bring down the government but enough to do the MAGA movement a lot of damage but I think that the Trump team may be realising that the damage being done now is worse than just coming clean and drawing a line under it.
My guess is that right now they are cleaning it as much as they can and they're trying to lower expectations so when they do finally release it in a few weeks they can say "see, told you there was nothing to worry about". The MAGA crowd may be gullible enough to buy it too.
Remember it was a last minute volte-face on releasing the Epstein files, so presumably something important buried deep in the footnotes where a bright intern found it just days ago.
That suggests it is not Trump, as he'd be the first name they'd have looked for, and not anyone else famous as they'd have been the second to 76th names looked for.
I'd like to believe the rumours Epstein was working for the CIA, KGB or Mossad, one of those anyway, or possibly two, but I can't make it work. (Shades of Cap'n Bob Maxwell!)
Robert Maxwell introduced Epstein to his daughter Ghislaine.
What Maxwell and Epstein were doing working together I will leave you to ponder.
Why would anyone ever introduce their daughter to that creep. Robert Maxwell must have known what kind of person Epstein was, wouldn't a person do whatever it takes to keep him away fron their daughter?!
Didn't Maxwell steal the Mirror pension fund? AIUI he also got a top notch funeral in Israel for his efforts for Israel. Perhaps Ghislaine was only continuing in the family business of Kompromat. (Segue into MAGA conspiracy theory while Leon is asleep)
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
The only way back for them is if Reform disintegrates.
Don't see the event that does it. I suppose Tice and Farage could fall out, or they could bankrupt Warks county council. Most people wouldn't notice or care though; winning the next el ction isn't a given for either Labour or Farage but it'll highly likely be one of them. The LIb Dems have more chances than the Tories of that now
Anyone know if it's worth doing an online MSc in data analytics or similar from a non big name uni such as Uni of North Wales?
I graduated from Open Uni with a bio degree but have struggled to get a decent paying lab job... (Currently work as a science tech in a school). Im hoping a change in career would boost my earnings....
IMO, no. This is an area that AI / ML is already eating for lunch. And there has been a glut of data science graduates, because a few years ago it was thought to be a great opportunity because big data, everybody wants to moneyball their business, so loads of unis created masters in it.
Yeah I didn't think so? Do you recommend any careers that are actually growing fast that I could change to? I don't mind paying for study if it's worth it.
How old are you? Within 5 years will be enough, I'm not trying to doxx you
I'm much much older than the average recent grad. Hence wanting to get my salary up quick.
Have you considered retraining as a Physician Assistant/Anaesthetic Assistant? 2 years of training then start at £50 000 with pretty good pension scheme.
A background in Biological science and a bit of maturity are positives for a CV..
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
They should have sent said special forces to do more than just ask him nicely to pull down his Facebook post. Maybe we should have sent PB's resident Postman Pat, given his recent postings, I think they would have sorted them out.
Yes, it's only a matter of time that he "goes postal" in the style of Constable Savage.
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
The right wing Tories have clean hands it seems to me. This all happened under Sunak, and specifically Grant Shapps. Bit like James Stupidly handing over Chagos - it's the useless 'grown ups in the room' causing all these cock ups by letting the system run things, either not asking questions or actively colluding, and all the while congratulating themselves for being so grown up.
Sorry, forgetting that all other parties can be criticised but critiquing the Lib Dem’s here is a no no.
All,good
Fire up the printer.
Give people with more than two kids more money
Heres another 10 billion for the WASPE leeches
All funded by a wealth tax
Not economic growth as we don’t want an housebuilding by us, or reservoirs.
@Taz lol. Think you need to check your link. You have jumped to a conclusion as to why I am confused. Bit defensive there. No issues with you criticizing the LDs. Just you weren't. Suggest you take a look at your link.
Yeah, I messed up the post. IanB also pointed it out,
I also managed to, after this, post a different link.
Farage's chances of winning the next election must have substantially increased over the last few days.
Not on today's Yougov poll, most voters back the super injunction and taking in Afghan refugees
It’s unlikely, IMHO, that they favour admitting a blackmailer and his relations.
That part of the story has made my jaw drop If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment ! It fails the story on the most positive terms. Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
They should have sent said special forces to do more than just ask him nicely to pull down his Facebook post. Maybe we should have sent PB's resident Postman Pat, given his recent postings, I think they would have sorted them out.
Said special forces would have had to fit than in with their busy shooting unarmed Afghan civilians schedule. Are they noted for their multi tasking abilities?
Comments
James Comey’s daughter who worked on Epstein case fired as federal prosecutor
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5405370-james-comey-daughter-maurene-comey-fired-reports/
"No specific reason given."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Maxwell
Still have my bet that Trump doesn't last the term, so might be influenced by that.
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-and-bahraini-foreign-minister-dr-abdullatif-bin-rashid-al-zayani-at-the-signing-ceremony/
The original decision to convert it to a superinjunction was the initiative of the judge on the case.
Grant Shapps then changed MoD policy on the matter.
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jul/16/grant-shapps-pushed-for-mod-afghan-superinjunction-to-remain-in-place
More detail on the costs involved also emerges, which unsurprisingly shows that Leon's certainty yesterday was misplaced.
As depraved as Epstein was, it is quite possible that the "p*ssy grabber" was and is, a worse human being.
We still have three and a half more years of this venal and disgusting man in office. By the end of it, it will take industrial levels of cleaning to get the slime out of the White House. Mind you, by then, the US economy will be a quarter less valuable than it is now.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rvyqd7wq2o
The role of the UK Special Forces (one of whom was responsible for the data leak) is somewhat murky.
It is quite literally a direct tax on the employees wages and affects those prices as a result. Just the same as fuel duty is a direct tax on fuel, or alcohol duty is a direct tax on alcohol and affects those prices.
If you accept the gov story about Taliban danger then surely the last person you want here is someone who is putting his fellow Afghans in danger; yet apparently he gets the VIP treatment !
It fails the story on the most positive terms.
Fwiw I think this story absolutely buries the Tories for the next GE, can't see a way back for them now.
A background in Biological science and a bit of maturity are positives for a CV..
"The not-so-secret diary of Leon Mole aged 71 and a quarter"?
I also managed to, after this, post a different link.
To err is human….
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