Peter Mandelson Arrested by Met Police Over Misconduct Allegations Linked to Epstein
Veteran Labour peer Peter Mandelson has been arrested and questioned by the Metropolitan Police as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, sparking significant political fallout. The former British ambassador to the US was taken into custody at his London home on Monday afternoon and released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday, with the condition that he surrender his passport.
The arrest marks a dramatic escalation in a probe linked to newly released documents concerning Mandelson's past contacts with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation focuses on allegations that, while serving as a minister, Mandelson passed market-sensitive government information to Epstein. A tranche of documents released by the US Department of Justice last month included emails between the two men from 2009, which appeared to show Mandelson discussing policy measures and a forthcoming bailout announcement.
Mandelson's lawyers at Mishcon de Reya have strongly criticised the police action. They stated that their client had already agreed to attend a voluntary interview next month and that the arrest was "prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad." They added there is "absolutely no truth whatsoever" in the claim, and have formally requested the evidence used to justify the detention.
The controversy deepened with revelations about the source of the information that led to the arrest. The Metropolitan Police apologised to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle after "inadvertently revealing" he was the origin of a tip-off suggesting Mandelson might be a flight risk. Sir Lindsay confirmed to MPs that he had passed on information, received during a visit to the British Virgin Islands, in "good faith," considering it his duty. However, the incident has raised serious questions about police protocol and the handling of sensitive intelligence involving senior political figures.
The force's investigation includes searches at two addresses. Mandelson, who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US in September over the emerging details of his relationship with Epstein, maintains he has not acted criminally and was not motivated by financial gain. His lawyers state his "overriding priority is to cooperate... and to clear his name." He has been bailed until the end of May pending further inquiries.