The Metropolitan Police are evaluating reports of alleged misconduct in public office by Lord Peter Mandelson, following the release of documents suggesting he shared sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis.
The disclosures, part of a cache released by the US Department of Justice, appear to show Mandelson forwarding emails containing confidential details about asset sales, banker bonus policies, and a eurozone bailout to Epstein while serving as Business Secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Keir Starmer has ordered a Cabinet Secretary investigation and demanded Mandelson resign from the House of Lords. The SNP and Reform UK have reported him to police. Commander Ella Marriott confirmed the force is reviewing reports to determine if a criminal threshold is met.
Harriet Harman, former deputy Labour leader, called for Mandelson's removal from the Privy Council and Lords, describing his actions as a 'stain' on politics. A former adviser labelled the conduct 'treacherous', expressing a sense of betrayal among those who worked during the crisis.
Emails show Mandelson forwarded a note from Brown's adviser Nick Butler detailing £20bn in saleable assets, to which Epstein replied asking 'what salable assets?' The government later announced a £16bn asset sale. Other emails suggest Mandelson sought to change policy on bankers' bonuses and shared details of an imminent euro bailout.
