Barclays Chief Executive Expresses Shock at Epstein Revelations Amid Fallout from Ex-CEO Staley's Ties
In a surprise statement, Barclays CEO CS Venkatakrishnan described himself as "deeply dismayed and shocked" by the depravity and corruption revealed in the recently published Jeffrey Epstein files. The comments come amidst fallout from the bank's ex-CEO Jes Staley's ties to the convicted sex offender.
Venkatakrishnan expressed his condolences to the victims of Epstein, stating that he is "very, very deeply dismayed and shocked" by the moral depravity and corruption in the documents. However, he stopped short of commenting directly on allegations against Staley, who resigned from Barclays two years ago over preliminary findings from an investigation.
US prosecutors reviewed allegations of rape and bodily harm against Staley in 2019 but failed to pursue them. The ex-CEO has denied wrongdoing but admitted to having sex with a member of Epstein's staff during a massage session in New York. A UK court hearing revealed that Staley described the encounter as "consensual."
The bank is currently battling a class-action lawsuit in the US over claims it defrauded and misled investors about Staley's relationship with Epstein. Barclays, along with its chair Nigel Higgins, are accused of repeatedly representing a false history between Staley and Epstein to media and investors.
Despite the controversy surrounding Staley, Venkatakrishnan emphasized that the bank has nothing further to add on the matter. Meanwhile, Barclays reported annual profits of £9.1bn in 2025, with plans to return more than £15bn to shareholders between 2026 and 2028.
The revelation echoes those of Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who expressed shock at the information shared by Peter Mandelson regarding confidential government deliberations after the 2008 financial crisis. The case highlights a deeper societal issue, with Bailey questioning how such incidents can occur in modern society.
In a surprise statement, Barclays CEO CS Venkatakrishnan described himself as "deeply dismayed and shocked" by the depravity and corruption revealed in the recently published Jeffrey Epstein files. The comments come amidst fallout from the bank's ex-CEO Jes Staley's ties to the convicted sex offender.
Venkatakrishnan expressed his condolences to the victims of Epstein, stating that he is "very, very deeply dismayed and shocked" by the moral depravity and corruption in the documents. However, he stopped short of commenting directly on allegations against Staley, who resigned from Barclays two years ago over preliminary findings from an investigation.
US prosecutors reviewed allegations of rape and bodily harm against Staley in 2019 but failed to pursue them. The ex-CEO has denied wrongdoing but admitted to having sex with a member of Epstein's staff during a massage session in New York. A UK court hearing revealed that Staley described the encounter as "consensual."
The bank is currently battling a class-action lawsuit in the US over claims it defrauded and misled investors about Staley's relationship with Epstein. Barclays, along with its chair Nigel Higgins, are accused of repeatedly representing a false history between Staley and Epstein to media and investors.
Despite the controversy surrounding Staley, Venkatakrishnan emphasized that the bank has nothing further to add on the matter. Meanwhile, Barclays reported annual profits of £9.1bn in 2025, with plans to return more than £15bn to shareholders between 2026 and 2028.
The revelation echoes those of Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who expressed shock at the information shared by Peter Mandelson regarding confidential government deliberations after the 2008 financial crisis. The case highlights a deeper societal issue, with Bailey questioning how such incidents can occur in modern society.