Barclays CEO Deeply Disturbed by Epstein Revelations Amid Fallout from Ex-Boss Staley's Scandal
In a recent statement, CS Venkatakrishnan, the chief executive of Barclays, expressed his deep dismay and shock at the "depravity and corruption" revealed in the Epstein files. While acknowledging his thoughts are with the victims of Epstein's crimes, Venkatakrishnan stopped short of commenting directly on allegations against his predecessor, Jes Staley.
The remarks come as Barclays grapples with the fallout from Staley's ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 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.
According to reports, US prosecutors reviewed allegations against Staley, including that he forced a woman to touch his genitals during a massage before raping her, but no evidence suggests they pursued charges. Staley has denied any wrongdoing and failed to respond to requests for comment from The Guardian.
The bank is facing significant scrutiny over its handling of the situation, with some accusing it of not doing enough to address the allegations. Venkatakrishnan's silence on the matter has only fueled speculation about the extent of Barclays' knowledge about Staley's activities.
Meanwhile, other senior figures in the financial sector have spoken out against the scandal. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey described himself as "shocked" by the revelations, which include information shared between former UK business secretary Peter Mandelson and Epstein.
The scandal has also led to a $12bn lawsuit by US heiress Tanya Dick-Stock against Barclays and HSBC over a Jersey trust allegedly linked to the Epstein scandal. Both banks have declined to comment on the matter.
Barclays has reported strong profits, with a near-13% increase in 2025, but the bank's chairman, Nigel Higgins, remains under pressure as the class action lawsuit continues. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Barclays and other financial institutions.
As the scandal continues to unfold, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the issue of abuse of power and corruption in the financial sector. With many questions still unanswered, it remains to be seen how Barclays will navigate this crisis and restore trust with its customers and investors.
In a recent statement, CS Venkatakrishnan, the chief executive of Barclays, expressed his deep dismay and shock at the "depravity and corruption" revealed in the Epstein files. While acknowledging his thoughts are with the victims of Epstein's crimes, Venkatakrishnan stopped short of commenting directly on allegations against his predecessor, Jes Staley.
The remarks come as Barclays grapples with the fallout from Staley's ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 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.
According to reports, US prosecutors reviewed allegations against Staley, including that he forced a woman to touch his genitals during a massage before raping her, but no evidence suggests they pursued charges. Staley has denied any wrongdoing and failed to respond to requests for comment from The Guardian.
The bank is facing significant scrutiny over its handling of the situation, with some accusing it of not doing enough to address the allegations. Venkatakrishnan's silence on the matter has only fueled speculation about the extent of Barclays' knowledge about Staley's activities.
Meanwhile, other senior figures in the financial sector have spoken out against the scandal. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey described himself as "shocked" by the revelations, which include information shared between former UK business secretary Peter Mandelson and Epstein.
The scandal has also led to a $12bn lawsuit by US heiress Tanya Dick-Stock against Barclays and HSBC over a Jersey trust allegedly linked to the Epstein scandal. Both banks have declined to comment on the matter.
Barclays has reported strong profits, with a near-13% increase in 2025, but the bank's chairman, Nigel Higgins, remains under pressure as the class action lawsuit continues. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for Barclays and other financial institutions.
As the scandal continues to unfold, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the issue of abuse of power and corruption in the financial sector. With many questions still unanswered, it remains to be seen how Barclays will navigate this crisis and restore trust with its customers and investors.