Kevin Rudd denies ever visiting Epstein’s properties following fresh release of US files

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has rejected any known association with Jeffrey Epstein after fresh documents released in the US suggested he once sought to introduce his wife and son to the disgraced businessman.

The latest official release of files connected to the Epstein investigation reveals the now deceased convicted sex offender requested non-vegetarian food for another apparent meeting with Mr Rudd in 2014, a year after he left office.

Overnight, the US Department of Justice has published over three million pages of new documents related to the case of the wealthy financier, including over 2000 videos and 180,000 images.

They include an email sent by Epstein on June 6, 2014, to his long-time administrative assistant Lesley Groff, in which he requests: “also non-vegetarian (sic) food, as now Kevin Rudd is also coming”.

An itinerary sent by Ms Groff to Epstein two days later confirms he was due to depart from his private Caribbean Island at 6am, to arrive in New York for a day of meetings that included a vegetarian lunch with Woody Allen, and an afternoon catch-up with Mr Rudd.

During a 2018 text message exchange with conservative political strategist Steve Bannon, Epstein asks the close associate of President Donald Trump whether he would like to discuss foreign policy with Mr Rudd.

“Do you want to meet Terje there? Kerry is out of town. I suggest if possible Bill Burns. Also, if you want to play in a foreign arena. Kevin Rudd. ( china ). Maybe some world bank guys/women/.”, Epstein says to Bannon, who replies: “Definitely terje”.

In another text exchange released from 2013, a woman called “Camilla” messages “Jeff” about a dinner with the Mongolian President saying: “Kevin Rudd has also asked if he can bring his wife and son. Would that be ok? Thanks,”.

On September 28, 2015, there is a suggestion of another meeting with the now Australian Ambassador, when Epstein emails prominent lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to say: “Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of australia. als= coming”.

In a lengthy statement, the departing Australian ambassador to Washington “reiterates his previous statements that he has never corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein or ever visited any of Jeffrey Epstein’s houses.”

“Dr Rudd also has no reason to believe that he ever met with Jeffrey Epstein at any time. We cannot rule out the possibility that they might have attended the same event at some stage, since Dr Rudd has attended literally thousands of functions in New York over the years,” the statement says.

“Most references to Dr Rudd in these latest documents mention him in passing. Others indicate there were attempts by mutual acquaintances of Jeffrey Epstein to introduce him to Dr Rudd.

“No introduction ever took place, and there is no evidence of any direct contact between Jeffrey Epstein and either Dr Rudd or his office.”

“Finally, even if these various records were somehow to be accepted at face value, none of them allege that Dr Rudd engaged in any wrongful activity or had any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

“Dr Rudd’s legal team is prepared to launch legal action against any defamatory statements asserting any kind of personal relationship between Dr Rudd and Epstein.”

The latest release of Epstein files also includes emails revealing Katherine Keating, the daughter of former prime minister Paul Keating, once offered to bring her younger sister to one of the businessman’s dinner parties.

Ms Keating’s association with Epstein has already been documented, but the newly released documents include a series of emails where she suggests her younger sister, Alexandra, come to a dinner party at his New York home in May 2011.

“I could invite my sister. 25, very cool and sharp as a tack,” Ms Keating replies to Epstein.