By Emmanuel Bobby
British police said Tuesday that former U.K. ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after being arrested amid intensifying revelations about his past relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, 72, was detained Monday following the release of millions of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department, some of which appear to suggest he leaked sensitive political and market information to the financier. Footage broadcast on Sky News showed Mandelson being led from his north London home wearing a gray sweater and black coat.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a 72-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail pending further investigation. The force did not name Mandelson, in line with British legal practice, but confirmed that searches had been carried out at two addresses in Wiltshire and Camden.
Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Emails contained in the Epstein files from 2009 appear to show him sharing assessments of potential policy measures, discussing a proposed tax on bankers’ bonuses, and confirming details of a eurozone bailout package before it was publicly announced.
Police searched two properties linked to Mandelson on Feb. 6, days after he stepped down from the House of Lords. The arrest comes amid global fallout from the Epstein document release, which has led to resignations, firings, and criminal investigations involving high-profile figures.
Mandelson’s detention follows the recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, on the same offense. He was later released “under investigation,” meaning he was neither charged nor cleared. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
A longtime Labour Party power broker, Mandelson played a key role in Tony Blair’s 1997 election victory and later served as business secretary under Gordon Brown, who elevated him to the House of Lords in 2008. He resigned from Blair’s Cabinet twice in earlier scandals involving an undeclared loan and intervention in a passport case.
His friendship with Epstein was known before his recent ambassadorial appointment under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. After allegations emerged that Mandelson passed sensitive information to Epstein, political pressure intensified on Starmer’s government, already struggling with low approval ratings and economic pressures. Starmer recently accused Mandelson of repeatedly lying about the extent of his contact with Epstein.
Earlier document releases showed Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal” in a 2003 birthday book and suggested Epstein made $75,000 in payments to accounts linked to Mandelson or his partner. Mandelson has said he does not recall receiving the money and questioned the authenticity of the documents. The files also suggest their friendship continued after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution involving a minor.
Mandelson’s arrest is not connected to any sex offense allegations.
The widening Epstein files have implicated numerous influential figures, including former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, Hyatt Hotels executive chairman Tom Pritzker, and former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler.
The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Epstein of trafficking her to powerful men including Mountbatten-Windsor, praised British authorities for taking action. Giuffre died by suicide last year. In a statement, her brother Sky Roberts and his wife Amanda Roberts said the arrests were a crucial step toward accountability and urged authorities worldwide to pursue transparency and justice for survivors.
Original article
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