Jes Staley, the former CEO of Barclays, testified in court on Tuesday, denying any knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities as he appeals a proposed ban and fine imposed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over his relationship with the disgraced financier.
Jes Staley, the former CEO of Barclays, took to the witness stand on Tuesday, denying any knowledge of the "monstrous activities" carried out by serial paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This testimony comes as Staley fights a proposed finance industry ban and a £1.8 million fine in relation to his past connections with the disgraced financier.
The 68-year-old Staley is appealing a ruling by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which followed scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein. The case, taking place at London’s Upper Tribunal, sheds new light on the actions of Barclays during its investigation into Staley, who resigned from the bank in 2021 amid the regulatory probe.
Staley’s defense focuses on denying any knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking activities, which have led to widespread controversy and legal action involving several high-profile figures, including Britain’s Prince Andrew and former colleagues at JPMorgan Chase, where Staley had worked before joining Barclays.
In his testimony, Staley acknowledged Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, but he maintained that he only viewed Epstein’s crime as a "single transgression" at the time. He denied knowing about Epstein’s broader illicit activities, stating, "If I was aware of his monstrous activities, I would not have maintained a relationship."
The case has brought to light details of an email exchange between Staley and Epstein after Epstein's release from prison in 2009, in which Staley had reportedly praised Epstein’s "courage." When questioned about the email, Staley explained that his comment was an expression of loyalty to Epstein, not an endorsement of any criminal actions. "Any time in prison is a tough time," he said, justifying his message of support.
At the heart of the appeal is a 2019 letter from Barclays Chairman Nigel Higgins to the FCA, which Staley’s legal team argues contained no misleading statements about his relationship with Epstein. The letter had stated that Staley had "no close relationship" with Epstein, a point which Staley contests, insisting that their relationship was strictly "professional."
However, emails disclosed by JPMorgan, the bank where Staley previously worked, paint a more complex picture of the relationship, according to Barclays Chair Higgins. Higgins admitted that, after discussing the matter with Staley, he believed the relationship did not warrant board-level scrutiny, but he also acknowledged the email evidence suggested otherwise.
As the appeal continues, Staley remains on the stand, and the tribunal’s final ruling could have far-reaching implications for his career in the financial industry. The closing arguments are expected to take place in April, as both sides prepare to present their case in full.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the complicated legacy of Staley’s connections to Epstein and the wider repercussions of Epstein's crimes on his associates. The outcome of the case may influence Staley's future in the financial world, but for now, his fight to clear his name continues.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
Another group of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Russia has been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan. During the night, a new group of orchestra members crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint as part of the ongoing evacuation process.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
The largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history concluded Sunday night with the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, who is accused of killing Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounding State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife in targeted attacks that have stunned the state.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
Another group of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Russia has been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan. During the night, a new group of orchestra members crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint as part of the ongoing evacuation process.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
Kazakhstan has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top grain supplier, as trade between the two countries surged 20% in early 2025, reaching historic highs.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The Israeli military has issued an evacuation advisory for Iranian civilians living near weapons production sites and associated infrastructure within Iran. The message was shared on the social media platform X in both Arabic and Farsi by an official military spokesperson.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
An Air India flight with 242 passengers on board crashed in Meghaninagar, close to Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat, on Thursday afternoon.
Türkiye’s current account balance registered a deficit of $7.8 billion in April, according to data released Monday by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), marking a wider-than-expected shortfall amid a sharp goods trade imbalance.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
Kazakhstan has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top grain supplier, as trade between the two countries surged 20% in early 2025, reaching historic highs.
The EU will delay plans to curb Russian nuclear fuel imports, focusing first on phasing out Russian gas by 2027, the European Commission confirmed.
Another group of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Russia has been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan. During the night, a new group of orchestra members crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint as part of the ongoing evacuation process.
France has closed four major Israeli company stands at the Paris Airshow for displaying offensive weapons, intensifying diplomatic tensions with Israel amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
A community event turned deadly in West Valley City, Utah as gunfire erupted during a local carnival, killing three people, including an eight-month-old baby and injuring two teens, after a dispute between two groups escalated.
Kazakhstan has emerged as Azerbaijan’s top grain supplier, as trade between the two countries surged 20% in early 2025, reaching historic highs.
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