Peter Mandelson is facing a possible police investigation over allegations that he leaked market-sensitive government information to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis. The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received reports of alleged misconduct in a public office and was assessing whether to launch a criminal inquiry.
New disclosures from the Epstein files, released by the US Department of Justice, appear to show Mandelson sent emails containing confidential UK government information to Epstein while serving as business secretary under Gordon Brown. The emails reportedly included details of a £20bn asset sale, an imminent euro bailout, and discussions on bankers' bonuses.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered an investigation by the cabinet secretary and called for Mandelson to resign from the House of Lords. Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said Mandelson had 'cast a stain' over politics and should be removed from the Privy Council and the Lords. The SNP and Reform UK have reported him to the police.
Commander Ella Marriott of the Met Police said: 'The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation. As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate.'
One email, forwarded to Epstein in June 2009, contained a note from Brown's adviser Nick Butler suggesting the government had £20bn in saleable assets. Mandelson wrote to Epstein: 'Interesting note that's gone to the PM.' Epstein replied asking what assets, and a redacted source replied: 'Land, property I guess.' The government announced the asset sale four months later.
Butler said he was considering reporting the matter to the police, describing the conduct as 'treacherous'. A former adviser said: 'You can imagine the sense of betrayal that those of us who worked every hour of the day during that crisis are feeling.'
