Staley Went Around Barclays Official to Email Jeffrey Epstein

Jes Staley stayed in contact with Jeffrey Epstein behind the back of Barclays Plc’s head of communications while the bank dealt with questions about its incoming boss’ links to the late sex offender a decade ago.

Appearing as the first witness in Staley’s legal fight with British regulators, Stephen Doherty said he’d only become aware of his former boss’ emails with Epstein years later, after UK authorities announced their own findings on the matter.

In October 2015, the bank was preparing to announce Staley’s appointment as chief executive officer and was concerned that media articles about his friendship with ...