Sarah Ferguson charity to close after new details of friendship with Epstein

The charity of Sarah Ferguson has announced that it is closing after new revelations emerged about the former duchess’s friendship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Sarah’s Trust, the international charity launched by the ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, will close “for the foreseeable future” after “some months” of discussion, according to a spokesperson.It comes after a new trove of about 3 million files related to Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice on Friday, offering new details about the disgraced financier’s interactions with wealthy and powerful figures.Among these files were more revelations about Epstein’s contact with Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and Ferguson – which included evidence of Ferguson calling Epstein the “brother” she “always wished for”.“Our chair Sarah Ferguson and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future. This has been under discussion and in train for some months,” a spokesperson from Sarah’s Trust said.“We remain extremely proud of the work of the trust over recent years. We have partnered with over 60 other charities in over 20 countries, providing education, healthcare, crisis response and environmental projects.“We delivered over 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid pandemic, provided medical aid and training for those affected by the war in Ukraine and delivered education for over 200 children in Ghana.”The closing of Sarah’s Trust comes after seven charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and children’s hospice, have previously cut ties and revoked Ferguson’s patronage due to her links with Epstein.Elsewhere in the recently released Epstein files, an email written by Ferguson suggests that the sex offender may have had a secret child.In the email, dated 21 September 2011, Ferguson wrote: “Don’t know if you’re still on this bbm but have heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy.”In a separate email, Ferguson seemed angered at Epstein and accused him of only being friends with her “to get to Andrew”.“I did not even know you were having a baby,” she wrote in the email. It was soooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply (sic). More than you will know.”Other documents in relation to Ferguson revealed that in March 2011, Epstein asked publicist Mike Sitrick to “draft a statement that in an ideal world Fergie would put out”, days after Ferguson told the Evening Standard she had “deep regret” over her ties with Epstein. Then in April 2011, “Sarah” emailed Epstein saying that she had acted to “protect my own brand”.In August 2009, “Sarah” thanked Epstein for “being the brother I have always wished for” and she had “never been more touched by a friends kindness”. In April 2009, “Sarah” emailed Epstein calling him “my dear spectacular and special friend Jeffrey” and a “legend,” adding that she is “so proud” of him.Ferguson’s spokesperson previously said she had spoken of her regret about her association with Epstein and “does not resile” from condemning him publicly.