The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it is providing advice to police investigating Peter Mandelson and the former Duke of York over their links to Jeffrey Epstein. Both men were arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and have been released under investigation.
A CPS spokesperson said on Wednesday that early investigative advice was being given to the Metropolitan Police regarding a 72-year-old man, and to Thames Valley Police concerning a 66-year-old man. The spokesperson added that the CPS remained ready to support any investigation if needed.
The development comes as King Charles prepares for a state visit to the United States in late April. Some politicians have described the trip as a "humiliation" amid Donald Trump's conflict with Iran. It is understood that the King and Queen Camilla will not meet Epstein victims while UK police inquiries are ongoing.
US congressman Ro Khanna has written to the King urging him to meet survivors privately, and the family of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, has also strongly urged him to do so. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declined to comment on a "moral case" for such a meeting, saying the focus of the visit would be the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The former Duke of York was stripped of his titles and asked to vacate his Windsor residence after being arrested on 19 February over allegations he shared confidential material with Epstein while a trade envoy. Lord Mandelson, who was sacked as ambassador to Washington and resigned from the Lords, was arrested on 23 February over claims he leaked sensitive information while business secretary. Both deny any wrongdoing.
The National Police Chiefs' Council has announced a stepped-up response to the release of the Epstein files, with a dedicated group examining potential UK-based offending against women and girls. Alleged victims who have spoken to UK media have been invited to contact investigators.
