Ghislaine Maxwell quizzed over mystery three Brits linked to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein
The convicted sex offender was interviewed by government lawyers near to the Tallahassee Federal Jail in Florida where she had been locked up before her move to 'cushy' Bryan prison camp in Texas this week.
After being asked about former friend Prince Andrew, who has always denied claims by Virginia Giuffre that she was sex-trafficked to him by Epstein when she was just 17, Maxwell was questioned about other Brits in the New York financier's close circle.
One is believed to be a 'high-profile public figure' who had a long-running friendship with Epstein which was viewed as a cause for concern even before the paedophile killed himself in prison in 2019.
The other spent a lot of time at his various properties, including his infamous private Caribbean island, his townhouse in Manhattan and his New Mexico ranch.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: 'There was more than just Prince Andrew known to Epstein. [Deputy US Attorney General Todd] Blanche asked detailed forensic questions about three other British nationals.
'He was very specific about dates, locations and their relationship to Epstein. It was clear the Department of Justice is now pulling on threads that go far beyond just the Duke [Prince Andrew] where Brits are concerned.'
The line of questioning came amid a two-day interview at the hands of the top US government lawyer last week which saw disgraced socialite Maxwell, in jail for 20 years for helping Epstein abuse young girls, talk about 100 men connected to the paedophile.
Two of the Brits mentioned are believed to have flown on Lolita Express, Epstein's private jet, several times.
The third attended multiple dinners hosted by the late financier in New York and Palm Beach.
The Department of Justice had questions regarding the three Brits' relationship with Epstein, according to the source, with Maxwell reportedly aware that she is not the last Brit who will be grilled by government lawyers.
Maxwell, daughter of fraudster media tycoon Robert Maxwell, is holding out hope for a presidential pardon after her 2022 conviction, a separate source claimed.
Investigators are said to have found an address book belonging to Epstein, who hanged himself in prison aged 66 while awaiting trial, containing the names of more than 300 people from the UK.
Both Maxwell and Andrew's names show up in various flight logs, photographs and calendars in the possession of the FBI.
Maxwell was moved to another prison under cover of darkness after being 'bombarded' with death threats from rapists and murderers who accused her of being a 'snitch', The Mail on Sunday revealed this weekend.
During a nine-hour interrogation with Mr Blanche, she was also grilled about the likes of Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and 'several billionaires'.
The convicted sex-trafficker answered all questions 'honestly and truthfully' as she was quizzed about 'more than 100 different people' connected to Epstein.
While it is not known exactly what Maxwell said about the Duke, this is the first time she has ever been formally questioned about him. A source said: 'This is the first time anyone has asked Ghislaine about any of the men.
'She told the truth and didn't back away from any questions. She wants the truth to come out.'
A source familiar with the meeting said: 'Ghislaine has never told her story to anyone in government before.
'At times it was very emotional but she answered every question asked of her.
'The limited immunity deal is a huge risk for her because this case is so politicised she only has immunity so long as she hasn't lied. She answered everything truthfully but she is taking a risk.
'She was asked about a laundry list of people including Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Les Wexner, Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, Leon Black and a Who's Who of powerful Wall Street moneymen and financiers.
'There were Silicon Valley names in there along with world leaders, other non-British royals aside from Andrew and famous names from the world of showbusiness.
Maxwell, far right, pictured with (L-R): Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Epstein in 2000. Convicted sex-trafficker Maxwell answered all questions 'honestly and truthfully' as she was quizzed about Andrew and 'more than 100 different people' connected to Epstein
'It's ironic that Elon Musk kicked this whole thing off when he fell out with Trump and then made that post on X about Trump allegedly preventing the release of the full Epstein documents as some sort of 'cover-up'. Well, Elon is in there, as is his brother.
'It was a monumental moment for Ghislaine to finally be asked about these people and to tell the truth.'
A source told The Mail on Sunday: 'As soon as Ghislaine spoke to the government she was considered a snitch by other inmates at Tallahassee. There were very real and very credible threats on her life. The prison had dangerous inmates serving time for serious crimes like rape and murder.
'Tallahassee has not had a permanent governor in some time and is chronically under-staffed. She has faced death threats before but after meeting with the government she was bombarded with them. She had a target on her back.
'There were real fears inside Tallahassee that they could not guarantee her safety, which is why she was moved.'
Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove 'for 16-hours straight' to Bryan, Texas.
She was not shackled during the drive and stopped once for a toilet break in Louisiana.
It is unprecedented for a convicted sex offender such as Maxwell – sentenced to 20 years – to be moved to a minimum-security facility like Bryan, nicknamed 'Camp Fed'.
The source explained: 'There is a different class of people at Bryan so she is less likely to be attacked. It is an all-female facility.
'These are non-violent, white-collar criminals. It is a professionally run prison camp with a great warden, working cameras everywhere and properly trained staff. She is far safer there.'
The source said reports Maxwell was in an 'honour dorm' in Tallahassee and already receiving preferential treatment were untrue.
Bryan prison allows inmates to freely roam its 37-acre grounds which have 'limited or no perimeter fencing', according to the US Bureau of Prison's website.
Inmates can take part in activities including training guide dogs for the blind, which allows them to keep a puppy for much of the day for 'socialisation'. There are yoga classes and a state-of-the-art gym.
The family of Ms Giuffre expressed outrage over the move.
Ms Giuffre died by suicide in April aged 41. She claimed Maxwell recruited her from the spa at Donald Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club and she was 'passed her around like a plate of meat' for Epstein and his friends to abuse.
In a statement on Friday, Ms Giuffre's family said: 'Trump has sent a clear message today. Paedophiles deserve preferential treatment... Ghislaine Maxwell is a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.'
Maxwell was moved early on Thursday morning in a two-car convoy that drove 'for 16-hours straight' to Bryan, Texas (pictured)
Mr Trump's administration was plunged into a storm after promising to release files on Epstein but failing to do so.
In an interview with Newsmax on Friday he said he will release them 'as long as they don't hurt anyone'.
He added: 'I'm allowed to give her (Maxwell) a pardon but, right now, it would be inappropriate to talk about it.'
Maxwell was set to testify before Congress on August 11 but it has been postponed while the US Supreme Court decides whether to hear her appeal.
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