Peter Mandelson held on suspicion of misconduct in public office
LONDON—Peter Mandelson, the former U.K. ambassador to the U.S., was arrested Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as revelations linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continue to send shock waves through Britain’s establishment.
The arrest came only days after former Prince Andrew was also detained by the police on the same offense.
Mandelson, a totemic figure on the left of British politics, was photographed being escorted from a property in London by police officers. Shortly after, Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 72-year-old man was arrested and taken to a police station for an interview.
Files released by the U.S. Justice Department appear to show that Mandelson emailed confidential government correspondence to the disgraced financier. They also appear to show that Epstein wired $75,000 to Mandelson. Police didn’t comment on what their investigation was focused on.
Mandelson hasn’t responded to requests for comment. He has previously said that he had no recollection or record of receiving the funds and that the payments “need investigating by me.”
The scandal had already rippled through the British political system, forcing U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to apologize for having appointed Mandelson to the role of U.S. ambassador in 2024 despite his affiliation with Epstein being public knowledge. Starmer’s top aide, who had advised on the appointment, recently resigned. Starmer repeatedly said Mandelson lied to him about the extent of his friendship with Epstein, who pleaded guilty to procuring minors for prostitution in 2008.
Westminster is bracing for the scandal to reignite in early March when the government is due to publish a large batch of internal correspondence in the lead up to Starmer’s decision to name Mandelson as U.S. ambassador.
Mandelson was initially forced to quit as ambassador last year when emails showed that he had remained in contact with the disgraced financier far longer than previously known. The release of further emails also appeared to show how Mandelson and Epstein communicated about official government business.
