EFTA01097430.pdf

I have asked your forgiveness before and I am writing to apologize and ask your forgiveness again for remarks in the press recently that have been attributed to me which are derogatory or unflattering to you, particularly any that refer to you as a pedophile. I was more than horrified to see those statements in print, I was sick about it. I want to make it perfectly clear, Jeffrey, that while I do not condone what you did, it was a long time ago and that I do not consider you — nor do the facts support referring to you -- as a pedophile or any of the other horrible terms which have been used recently to describe you. The fact is, had the media bothered to check the dictionary and the public records, they would have found that you are not a pedophile by any definition of the word. They would have found that (1) this occurred many years ago; (2) you pled guilty to procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution and (3) that while you pled guilty and were convicted of this offense in Florida, you would not have been guilty of a criminal offense in the UK. Jeffrey, you have been a dear friend of the family for many years. You paid for what you did and since have continued your wonderful charitable work, both through supporting the greatest scientists in the world who are working to make our world a better place, and by supporting through your philanthropy those less fortunate than yourself. I know better than to expect the press to acknowledge all of the wonderful things you have been doing and have done for others for so many years, but I wanted you to know that those of us who know you recognize that is the person you really are. In the end, this is how you will be judged. [As Christians we are taught to forgive. All of us who know you well have. The press should follow suit.] Once again, I am really sorry that you have been subjected to this grossly unfair tirade and I will do everything I can to set the record straight going forward. Kind regards. EFTA01097430