Police executed search warrants at two properties linked to Lord Peter Mandelson on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers from its central specialist crime team carried out the searches in Camden, north London, and Wiltshire, targeting a 72-year-old man who has not been arrested.
The investigation follows the release of emails by the US Department of Justice last week suggesting that Lord Mandelson leaked confidential government documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The emails, from 2009, reportedly show him passing on an assessment by Gordon Brown's adviser of potential policy measures, including an asset sales plan, discussing a tax on bankers' bonuses, and confirming an imminent bailout package for the euro before its announcement in 2010.
The revelations have placed intense pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to publish vetting documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. The independent Intelligence and National Security Committee (ISC) has said the files will be released “very shortly”. In a letter to ISC chair Lord Beamish, Sir Keir pledged cooperation, stating that the government wishes to “engage constructively” while having regard to the Metropolitan Police investigation.
In a further blow to Lord Mandelson, Global Counsel, the lobbying firm he co-founded, has severed all ties with him. Its co-founder and chief executive Benjamin Wegg-Prosser announced he would step down, saying it was “time to draw a line” between the firm and Lord Mandelson’s actions.
Sir Keir has admitted he knew of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein and, after initially resisting, agreed to release the vetting documents following a backlash from Labour MPs. At Prime Minister’s Questions, he stated that Lord Mandelson had “betrayed our country, our parliament and my party” and lied repeatedly about his links to Epstein. However, the scandal has fuelled internal party criticism, with former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman warning the prime minister must take decisive action or risk losing his job, and backbencher Ian Byrne suggesting Sir Keir “needs a miracle” to remain leader.
