Queen’s University Belfast severs links with former chancellor over Epstein ties

Queen’s University Belfast is to completely cut ties with the former chancellor, George Mitchell, over relationship with Epstein.

The bust of the former chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast has been removed, as well as his name from the Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice.

The files released on the January 31, 2026, detailed a continued relationship between Mitchell and Epstein. They show email and memo correspondence, as well as appointments that were scheduled, between the two of them.

[George Mitchell] profoundly regrets ever having known Jeffrey Epstein

Spokesperson for George Mitchell

There was an explicit email from the 4^th of November 2013, which scheduled a “10:30am Appt w/Senator George Mitchell”, showing that Mitchell was known to meet with Epstein.

Mitchell’s spokesperson, in a statement released on Monday February 2, stated that the former chancellor had never met, spoke, nor contacted the victim or any other underaged girl.

The spokesperson then proceeded to claim Mitchell “profoundly regrets ever having known Jeffrey Epstein and condemns, without reservation, the horrific harm Epstein inflicted on so many women”.

A scholarship that bore Mitchell’s name is also set to be renamed.

Mitchell was the chancellor of Queen’s University from 1999 to 2009. He was a former majority leader in the US senate, and he chaired the peace talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998) being signed. He was a popular figure for his work to bridge the divide in Northern Ireland.

Queen’s University Belfast has acted appropriately in cutting ties with Mitchell

Queen’s University Belfast was previously made aware of the ties between Mitchell and Epstein, exposed in an earlier release of the files in September 2025. It detailed a handwritten letter from September 2003, in which their relationship was described as a “blessing”.

Jeffery Epstein was a serial rapist, sex trafficker, and convicted sex offender. An extensive network of wealthy and connected people were involved in his sexual abuse of young women and underaged girls.

In November 2025, the Epstein Files Transparency Act was passed by the US government, which enabled the release of all the files, colloquially known as the ‘Epstein files’, about the criminal investigations regarding Epstein. The files were released in the past week, revealing many of the names of those involved.

Many argue Queen’s University Belfast has acted appropriately in cutting ties with Mitchell.