Epstein never stayed at Hillsborough Castle, record searches show

Comprehensive searches of records have uncovered no information that indicates Jeffrey Epstein ever stayed at Hillsborough Castle, according to the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn.

It follows a call for a "full review" by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Carla Lockhart that the late convicted paedophile visited the Castle on at least one occasion.

In a letter to the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows, Benn also said there is nothing to suggest Epstein had any contact with Lord Mandelson when he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from October 1999 until January 2001.

The former Labour minister was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday and later released on bail, pending further investigation.

In his letter to Burrows the Secretary of State said: "Following your request, officials have carried out comprehensive searches of all records held by the Department, including those covering Lord Mandelson's time as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (October 1999 - January 2001).

"This has included carrying out electronic searches as well as reviewing physical files from the time."

It added: "As a result of these searches we have not identified any information to indicate that Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein had any official contact during the period October 1999 - January 2001.

"Additionally, the Department holds no information that indicates that Jeffrey Epstein ever visited or stayed at Hillsborough Castle."

However, the letter adds that under an information retention policy the Northern Ireland Office retains information only for as long as necessary for business, legal, regulatory and accountability purposes.

"Visits records were therefore disposed of after three to six years," the letter went on.

"Visits by significant individuals to Hillsborough Castle are recorded in the official visitors' books and would have been retained for longer.

"These books have been searched for records of Jeffrey Epstein visiting Hillsborough Castle and again no reference to him has been found."

The letter concluded: "The UK Government has firmly stated it will cooperate fully with all police investigations on this matter."

In response, Burrows said the findings while "reassuring" are "necessarily constrained by the disposal of records".

In a statement, the Ulster Unionist leader said: "Given the gravity of the Epstein scandal it was entirely proper that the NIO examined this issue."

He added: "No stone must be unturned in any of the investigations linked to Jeffrey Epstein."