The assistant signed off the message as executive assistant to the secretary of state on the email that appears to be sent from a government address to Epstein's Gmail account.
The time of the email says it was sent on 24 July 2009, just two days after Epstein left prison for sexual offending.
Politics live: Click here for the latest updates
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on behalf of the assistant.
Lord Mandelson is currently under police investigation for misconduct in public office.
The email from Lord Mandelson's assistant to Epstein says: "Peter has asked me to forward you the attached speech he is delivering on Monday. Thanks."
The name of the attached speech is BirkbeckFINAL.doc, and the subject line of the message is HE Speech - a potential reference to higher education.
Three days later, Lord Mandelson delivered a speech at Birkbeck, University of London, where he laid out the government's expectation that university fees were set to rise, and that British university courses should be marketed worldwide, according to a contemporary report from the FT.
Then business secretary, it was Lord Mandelson's first speech on tertiary education, having only just taken on the area in his brief.
At the bottom of the email, the first of its chain, is a footer saying the email was sent from the Government Secure Intranet.
Read more:
Mandelson asked to testify in US Epstein investigation
What do the Epstein files say about Lord Peter Mandelson?
Mandelson quits Labour Party
People who worked in the tertiary education sector at the time were unable to say if advance sight of the speech would have provided Epstein with a financial advantage.
The emails contained within the Epstein files show Lord Mandelson approaching him for advice on various topics.
Nick Hillman, who was working for the Conservative shadow education team at the time, told Sky News: "I cannot fathom why Peter Mandelson thought this would be of interest to the sort of people with the power to move the markets."
Sky News asked the Cabinet Office if it would look into the speech sent outside of government, but was referred to the police investigation into misconduct in public office, which has so far only identified Lord Mandelson as being connected.
The Metropolitan Police referred Sky News to a previous statement, which said: "This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis.
"It will take some time to do this work comprehensively and we will not be providing a running commentary."
Asked about the possibility that the speech broke the law, legal experts said the bar for prosecution on misconduct in public office is very high.
š Click here to listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app š
Jo Grady, the head of the University and College Union, told Sky News: "This is yet another example of Mandelson's close ties to the convicted paedophile, and he should be made to explain why he was giving Epstein advance sight of his speeches on the funding of higher education.
"Our thoughts should always be with the victims who have suffered at the hands of these abusive and powerful men. But we should not forget that Mandelson's impact on public life has been corrosive, and this includes higher education."
Sky News has approached the ministerial assistant for comment.
They are perhaps best summed up in one diary entry: "It is ALL horror."
The recollections of their abuse in these files are recorded in personal diaries, private messages or confidential legal interviews.
The names of all the survivors in this article have been changed.
WARNING: This article contains graphic content, including details of sexual and emotional abuse
Lauren's scrapbook
This scrapbook documents one young woman's encounters with Epstein - we don't know exactly when but we estimate around 2007.
It includes details of their meetings, trips around the world, and intimate thoughts about their relationship.
It starts with her saying:
Once upon a time, there was a clueless little girl...
Then... what is he doing? HeāÆwouldn't. Mmm... elastic.
Charlotte's testimony
In interviews conducted by Palm Beach Police Department, unidentified victims recounted their experiences with Epstein and his then-girlfriend, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
In this transcript, 'Charlotteā recounts her visits to Epstein's Palm Beach residence in November 2005 - and how Epstein groomed reluctant girls.
Investigator: Tell me about the time you first met Jeffrey.
Charlotte: It was something in high school, everybody was like, trying to make money and at the time I had like two jobs, I guess. That was like two years ago or so... I was 17.
Charlotte: It seems really weird, the whole situation and there were more girls in the house. And then they just told me, just go upstairs, you know, they showed me the room, it was the massage room, like pretty normalā¦ and then he came like, you know, and I gave him a massage.
Investigator: He offered you more money to get naked?
Charlotte: Well, he told me just to take my shirt off... he didn't say anything else.
Investigator: And did you?
Charlotte: No.
Investigator: And you went more times?
Charlotte: It was like, around like three or four times, and then I just... I was just scared he was gonna do something.
Investigator: And each time he went, did he offer you more money to do more things?
Charlotte: Yes.
Charlotte: She said he would offer me more money if I had sex with him and I said thatās never going to happen. There's no way I'm gonna do it for money.
Investigator: Talk to me about the third time you went... Obviously, more stuff happened because he paid you more to do more stuff, right?
Charlotte: The third time, it was when I took my shirt off. And that was when he paid me $300.
Kimberley's journal
One survivor's personal journal documents her emotional and, at times, excruciating journey through Epstein's world.
The journal written by 'Kimberley' is in a basic code. We don't know when it was written but we estimate sometime between 2001 and 2004.
No one can prepare you for this shit. I am so f***ing lost.
Jeffrey treats me like I am 'special' property
The other girls well some are nice but 3 I hate!
Alice in f***ing wonderland?
In a plane or a yacht. In NY, in DC, at the vineyard. On the island. In Palm Beach. It doesn't matter. Disgusting pigs.
I feel broken and exhausted. I am so f***ing tired of this sick and twisted 'game' that's causing such physical and emotional pain!
Later in her diary, 'Kimberley' detailed what appear to be traumatic experiences of multiple pregnancies.
I think I am going to break. Why would they allow [REDACTED] wait this long? Why would he bring a friend and make a video? I am so broken.
And the procedure was so painful and blood all over the sheets. I can't play this game anymore. I have to ask Ghislaine for help.
...I am now over 20 weeks with baby. We are certain is his, and I had to go to the Bahamas like this. And for some reason no plan has been made because he doesn't want a procedure and she does.
I am too young and he is too old! Why is no one doing anything, I don't understand! I don't want this! I don't want another painful procedure but I don't want this!
That company doesn't protect kids. They use it to find us. And they are everywhere! I cannot escape!
I am so very exhausted. My body feels so tired. Will I ever be free?
Read more from Sky News:
Epstein asked staff to install hidden video cameras at his home
Mandelson asked to testify in US Epstein investigation
How Epstein made his money
Rachel's interview notes
Notes from a survivor's testimony given to investigators in September 2019 detail her experiences with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell from the age of 13 into adulthood.
First met JE & GM sitting at a picnic table with friends, GM walked by with dog
JE came up to meet her
Do you like teachers, classes etc. I give scholarships.
Perfect grooming
GM always there
Didn't know what relationship was
Kinda became big sis
'Oh pick you up, we'll go to movies'
14 years old, 1st time on a flight w/ them to NY
Took me see Lion King
Other people around and other girls
JE and GM took me shopping, picked out what to wear ā¦
ā¦including underwear, white cotton underwear
Looked like little kids.
JE: "You need to learn bout the world & you need know how to do this"
I was a virgin, always wanted to keep my underwear on
JE: "Might as well get it over with b/c/when have a bf you want it to be good"
GM would laugh like she was enjoying it too
Encourage the behaviour or you to do something in the moment
Didn't think other (so many) girls involved until his arrest in '08
Thought I was the only one
Not in my own experience did I see other girls have encounters with friends of JE
It would not surprise me
Always instructed, never asked
Instructed to have encounters w/ other females.
Remember seeing him arrested on TV 07-08
Then hearing he got that b******t house arrest thing
Several lawyers victims contact
Told me my name brought up to JE & he said oh she's grateful for everything I've done for her, she won't talk.
These survivors' recollections are not an isolated story, they are a pattern. Sky News will continue to comb through the files.
The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.
The prime minister will further risk the wrath of Nigel Farage and his Brexiteers by saying that the UK is no longer the "Britain of the Brexit years" in a call for European unity to defend the continent from Russian aggression as the US steps back.
The comments will be delivered in a speech to global leaders at a security summit in Munich on Saturday.
However, despite the strong language, he is not expected to announce any plans to speed up a pledge to increase core defence spending from just over 2.3% to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Military officers privately concede this near-decade-long timeline, despite being agreed by all NATO allies, is far too slow and unambitious, given the scale of the threat posed by Russia and the need for the European side of the transatlantic alliance to do much more to defend itself as Donald Trump moves US assets away from the continent to focus on other priorities.
In an extraordinary attack on Reform UK and the Green Party, Sir Keir underlined the need to explain to the public why it is important to invest in rebuilding Britain's defences.
"Because, if we don't, the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left and the extreme right are ready. They will offer their solutions instead," he will say, according to excerpts from the speech released in advance.
"It's striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia and weak on NATO - if not outright opposed.
"And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology.
"The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen."
A spokesperson for Reform UK fought back in a statement: "This is a speech from a weak prime minister on the verge of being hounded out of office by his own party. This is a man that refuses to find the money to increase defence spending and is making our country weaker and less secure.
"Reform UK believes our priority should be rebuilding our armed forces, properly funding defence to at least 3.5% of GDP, standing up to China and Russia and strengthening our bilateral relationships."
Read more from Sky News:
Doctors speaking out against Iran
The schism between Trump and Israel
Mandelson asked to testify in US
The Starmer government is looking to forge closer relations with European Union allies in procuring military equipment, such as missiles, warplanes and drones - a strengthening of ties that were badly strained after the UK voted to leave the bloc a decade ago.
"We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore," the prime minister is expected to say.
"Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward - we would surrender it. And I won't let that happen.
"There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history - and it is today's reality too."
The comments triggered an instant backlash from the Conservatives.
Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: "Keir Starmer has a habit of handing away sovereignty and now he is once again rolling the pitch for greater EU integration and less control for the UK.
"Britain is uniquely placed to help bring the US and Europe together, ensuring NATO is as strong as possible. We must not be overdependent on America, but neither should we offer Europe a blank cheque, prepared to accept any and all costs as Labour are."
In what has become the biggest public annual gathering on European security, the three-day Munich Security Conference is also bringing together Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, as well as leaders of European allies such as Germany and France, plus delegates from across the world, including China's foreign minister.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, is also present and is due to give his speech to the conference as well on Saturday, with efforts still under way, led by the US, to secure a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow even as Russia's full-scale war is about to enter its fifth year.
Mindful of the need to keep Washington close, Sir Keir is expected to say that the US remains an indispensable ally - but that the UK and Europe need to be able to operate militarily with more independence.
"I'm talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full, and remakes the ties that have served us so well," he is expected to say.
The 28-year-old, a world and European champion, had been the favourite for gold after leading at the halfway stage of the event on Thursday, with track records in the first two heats.
On Friday, the British athlete posted another track record on his third run - recording a 0.39-second advantage at the top of the leaderboard.
Follow latest updates from Sky Sports
A near faultless run in his final heat at the Milano Cortina Games saw him increase his margin of victory to 0.88 seconds, bringing the gold home with a fourth track record.
Germany's Axel Jungk took his second successive Olympic ā silver, āwhile Jungk's compatriot and ā defending champion Christopher ā Grotheer picked up āthe bronze.
Marcus Wyatt, Team GB's other medal hopeful, finished ninth on Friday.
In March 2025, Weston took his second world champion crown and last month he clinched his third successive overall World Cup title.
His Olympic win marks the first-ever gold in the men's skeleton for Team GB.
Explainer: Who is Matt Weston?
Weston made his debut in skeleton in 2019, previously competing in taekwondo and securing several European and international honours.
He continued in that discipline until the age of 17, when he retired due to injury.
Speaking after his skeleton win, Weston said: "[It means] everything. It means a hell of a lot to me personally. I have worked so hard for this.
"Everyone back at home, my fiancee, my family, my friends, everyone that has sacrificed for me to be here. I have missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment and it feels amazing."
Sir Keir Starmer celebrated the victory, with the prime minister saying in a post on X: "History-making. Congratulations Matt Weston!"
Team GB had won a medal in the skeleton at each of the Games since 2002 until 2018.
Lizzy Yarnold secured two golds, at Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018, while Dom Parsons was Britain's first male skeleton medallist since 1948 in South Korea, winning bronze in the men's event, and Amy Williams won gold in 2010 in Vancouver.
Weston is the first individual male British competitor to win gold at a Winter Olympics since figure skater Robin Cousins in 1980.
His victory comes after Ukrainian competitor Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified 30 minutes before the start of the session on Thursday because he defied calls to not wear his "helmet of remembrance" depicting athletes killed since Russia's invasion.
The 28-year-old had been the favourite for gold after leading at the halfway stage of the event on Thursday, with track records in the first two heats.
On Friday, the world and European champion posted another track record on his third run - recording a 0.39-second advantage at the top of the leaderboard before bringing the gold home in his final heat at the Milano Cortina Games.
A strong run saw him secure the win by increasing his margin of victory to 0.88 seconds, with his fourth track record.
Who is Matt Weston?
Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Weston started out his sporting career in a completely different discipline.
He practised taekwondo up until the age of 17, winning medals at UK-based events and international honours whilst representing England abroad.
At the taekwondo European Cup in 2012 he won both gold and silver, adding a silver and bronze to his collection at the International Taekwondo Federation World Cup in 2014 before retiring from the sport aged 17 due to a fracture in his back.
Right until he started the selection process for British Skeleton, he also played rugby, previously representing Kent as well as his local team Sevenoaks RFC and a Saracens Academy College.
His introduction to skeleton came via the British Skeleton Discover Your Gold talent identification scheme following a suggestion from his weightlifting coach, Chris Dear.
Speaking to Sky News sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao, Weston said it takes a "certain type of person" to take part in Skeleton.
"To get over that fear when you first start and you go down and you have no brakes," he said.
"Whether you have a good run, a bad run, you crash or don't crash, you are going to the bottom because it's just sheet ice. Once you get over the fear and apprehension about that, it's so much fun."
From beginner to Olympian
Weston made his debut in skeleton in 2019. Before then he completed a tense training period with the Royal Marines, which was designed to test his physical and mental fitness.
He finished 15th in his debut race on the Europa Cup in Winterberg, Germany, closely followed by a silver medal in Igls, Austria, and bronze in Altenberg, Germany, just a month later.
By 2020 Weston was competing on the World Cup circuit and in November 2021 he won gold for Great Britain, the first men's World Cup win in skeleton for almost 14 years.
Just over two years after he made his debut, he competed as an Olympian at the Beijing winter games in 2022.
In 2023, and paired with six-time world champion Martins Dukurs as a coach, Weston made major gains on both European and world stages.
He won the European title in January 2023 and a week later became world champion, taking the crown by a staggering 1.49 seconds.
Read more:
Winter Olympics opening ceremony became an outlet for rage
Ukrainian Olympian banned from competing
Weston started the 2025/26 season recovering from a thigh injury, but this didn't hold him back.
In March 2025 he took his second world champion crown and in January of this year - only a month before the start of the Olympics - he clinched his third successive overall World Cup title.
He remains the UK's most decorated slider at the world championship level.