The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed it is providing early investigative advice to two police forces probing Lord Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over their alleged links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A CPS spokesperson said prosecutors are assisting the Metropolitan Police in its investigation into a 72-year-old man, understood to be Lord Mandelson, and Thames Valley Police in its inquiry into a 66-year-old man, believed to be Andrew. Both men were arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office and have been released under investigation.
Lord Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, is accused of disclosing sensitive information to Epstein in 2009, including details of a potential asset sales plan and a bankers' bonus tax, after Epstein had become a convicted sex offender. The US Department of Justice released millions of pages of Epstein-related documents in January, which included alleged communications between Mandelson and Epstein.
Andrew is being investigated by Thames Valley Police over his association with Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US in late April will proceed despite calls for postponement, but they will not meet Epstein survivors while UK police investigations are ongoing.
US Congressman Thomas Massie has backed calls for US authorities to release unredacted correspondence between Mandelson and Epstein to UK officials, following a request by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley during a visit to Washington. The Met has contacted US authorities for further details, though it remains unclear if a formal mutual legal assistance request will be needed.
