Lord Peter Mandelson Arrested in Epstein-Linked Misconduct Probe
Police have arrested Lord Peter Mandelson, the former US Ambassador and Labour Party grandee, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest follows allegations that he passed confidential government information to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as Business Secretary.
Properties Searched and Epstein Files Evidence
Authorities conducted searches at two of Mandelson's properties as part of the investigation. Documents from the so-called Epstein Files reportedly suggest that Mandelson shared sensitive policy details with Epstein in 2009 and 2010. This included information about an imminent euro bailout package, raising serious questions about national security breaches.
Further allegations detail financial transactions between the pair. Records indicate alleged payments of up to $75,000 from Epstein to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. Additionally, a £10,000 transfer was made in 2009 to fund a course for Mandelson's husband, purportedly for osteopathy studies.
Mandelson's Political Career and Recent Fall from Grace
Lord Peter Mandelson previously served as the MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, holding key cabinet roles including Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. His career was marred by controversy, leading to two high-profile resignations.
More recently, he was appointed as US Ambassador but was sacked by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in September 2025 amid growing scrutiny over his connections to Epstein. Following his dismissal, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and relinquished his seat in the House of Lords, effectively ending his political career.
Denials and Apologies
In response to the allegations, Lord Mandelson has denied recalling the alleged payments from Epstein. He has, however, issued a public apology to Epstein's victims, acknowledging that it was wrong to maintain an association with the financier after his conviction for sex offences.
The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigations into Epstein's network and its connections to high-profile figures in politics and business. Authorities continue to examine the extent of information sharing and financial dealings between Mandelson and Epstein.
