Former Labour minister Peter Mandelson has been released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, linked to his friendship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the 72-year-old was questioned at a London police station after being escorted from his north London home by plainclothes officers on Monday afternoon. He returned home by taxi in the early hours of Tuesday.
The investigation centres on allegations that Mandelson leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. The arrest comes days before a crucial by-election in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, and reignites criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador in December 2024.
Starmer has apologised to Epstein's victims for the appointment, stating that Mandelson lied about the extent of his relationship with the late financier and was dismissed when this became known. The controversy has strained Starmer's authority within his party and led to the departure of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
The arrest follows a separate investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who became the first royal family member in modern times to be taken into police custody. Emails reportedly show the former prince sharing confidential information with Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy. Searches of properties linked to Mountbatten-Windsor have continued for several days.
Downing Street has agreed to release documents related to Mandelson's vetting process to the Intelligence and Security Committee, with the first tranche expected in early March. However, exchanges between Starmer and Mandelson regarding Epstein will remain confidential until the police investigation concludes. The Metropolitan Police described the investigation as complex, requiring significant further evidence-gathering.
