Gordon Brown has called for an inquiry into Peter Mandelson’s apparent disclosure of highly sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of millions of pages of US court documents. The former prime minister said the revelations raised serious concerns about Mandelson’s behaviour and fell far below the standards expected of any minister.
Speaking on Monday, Brown said it was incumbent on elected officials to behave in a way that builds trust. He described Mandelson’s decision to continue a close relationship with a convicted paedophile, including discussing private government business, as “unequivocally wrong” and “an insult to the women and girls who suffered”. Brown urged that no government minister should ever behave in such a manner.
The Metropolitan Police has said it will review any reports relating to alleged misconduct in public office after the US Department of Justice released around three million pages from the Epstein case files on Friday. The force will then decide if the material meets the threshold for investigation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered the cabinet secretary to investigate Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein when he was a cabinet minister and to report back as a matter of urgency. Labour’s Darren Jones told MPs that Starmer is calling on all political parties to work with the government to modernise disciplinary procedures to allow for the removal of peers who have brought the House of Lords into disrepute.
Mandelson resigned his Labour Party membership on Sunday night to avoid causing “further embarrassment”, after being sacked as US ambassador last year due to his links to Epstein. The Liberal Democrats and SNP have called for him to be stripped of his peerage. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey urged the government to bring forward legislation to remove Mandelson from the House of Lords, saying it was the least they could do for the victims and survivors of Epstein.
