Former Labour minister Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 72-year-old was questioned by Metropolitan Police detectives on Monday and returned to his London home in the early hours of Tuesday.
The investigation centres on allegations that Mandelson leaked sensitive information, including Downing Street emails and market-sensitive data, to Epstein while serving as business secretary. Mandelson denies any wrongdoing. Police executed search warrants at two addresses in Camden and Wiltshire as part of the probe.
Mandelson's arrest has reignited criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who appointed him as ambassador to the United States in December 2024. Starmer later apologised to Epstein's victims, stating Mandelson had misled him about the extent of their friendship. The controversy contributed to the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime division have been informal, with no formal early investigative advice sought. Officers are also investigating Prince Andrew, who was questioned separately over allegations of sharing confidential information with Epstein.
Downing Street has agreed to release documents related to Mandelson's vetting to the Intelligence and Security Committee, though exchanges between Starmer and Mandelson on Epstein will be withheld until the police investigation concludes.
