UK Watchdog Probes Case of Late Epstein Whistleblower

In May, Howard Lutnick answered questions about his ties to Epstein after publicly released files undermined his claims about when he had severed ties with the convicted sex offender. This undated redacted photo released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, shows Jeffrey Epstein. (House Oversight Committee via AP) (AFP) — Britain’s financial watchdog said Tuesday that it was reviewing its handling of a British whistleblower who died by suicide after years of questioning ties between Jeffrey Epstein and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Friends have confirmed in online posts that British banker Simon Andriesz, 57, died by suicide last month after seeking to expose alleged links between the two men. Andriesz, who joined the brokerage BGC in 2012 when it was headed by Lutnick, alleged that emails discovered among a batch of Epstein files showed the men’s close ties. He raised his concerns about their business links earlier this year with Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority, known as the FCA, and the FBI, the BBC reported. The FCA confirmed in a statement sent to AFP that it would “review how we interacted with Mr Andriesz to learn any lessons for the future.” In May, Lutnick answered questions before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about his ties to Epstein after publicly released files undermined his claims about when he had severed ties with the convicted sex offender. After the interview, Democrats portrayed Lutnick as evasive and dishonest and demanded his resignation. Lutnick has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. In a post on X, the FCA said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of whistleblower Simon Andriesz, following the incredibly sad news of his passing.” Stephen Braviner Roman, the agency’s chief risk officer, said on X that it was “often in contact with people in challenging circumstances.” “They may be sharing information about a firm we regulate that they’re concerned about, or in the middle of a dispute affecting their financial security,” he said. Andriesz, who left BGC in 2017, told a BBC podcast this year that he had come under tremendous pressure over his allegations about Lutnick, a billionaire former New York financier, and Epstein. But he said he carried on because “I guess it’s in my DNA to fight for justice.” “Even at school, growing up as a young lad, I would always take the bullies on. And that’s how I saw this company and these executives, as thugs and bullies.” A new FCA board member, Lea Paterson, has been asked to lead the review and will “look at whether there are things we could have done better, and she’ll help us learn for the future,” Braviner Roman added. The FCA acknowledged: “We must be open and consider if there are ways in which we can improve, especially in how we interact with people who may be particularly vulnerable.” A cross-party group of British lawmakers said the case “has raised deeply troubling questions about the way whistleblowers can be treated when they approach the FCA.” Our weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service