Peter Mandelson is facing an inquiry by the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) after the European Commission requested the body look into his activities during his time as trade commissioner in Brussels. The commission said it referred the peer to Olaf last week after US Department of Justice documents allegedly showed he shared sensitive government information with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson served as EU trade commissioner between 2004 and 2008 and later as UK business secretary. The files suggest he shared details of a €500bn eurozone bailout in 2010 with Epstein. Mandelson denies any wrongdoing.
He was arrested on Monday over allegations of misconduct in public office during his friendship with Epstein, but was released on bail hours later. His lawyers described claims that he was planning to flee the country as “baseless”.
The scandal has also prompted Defence Secretary John Healey to order a review of military records for any evidence that Epstein or his team booked RAF airfields for his planes. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned the British state may have facilitated Epstein’s crimes by allowing his private jet to land at RAF bases.
“Whenever there is any indication of a possible breach of the obligations under the code of conduct, the commission takes action,” a European Commission spokesperson said. Olaf confirmed it had been asked to look into Mandelson’s actions, but could not confirm whether an investigation will take place.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police apologised to both Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lords Speaker Lord Forsyth after inadvertently revealing information about Mandelson’s arrest.
