London’s Metropolitan Police released former British ambassador Peter Mandelson on bail early Tuesday, hours after arresting him on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest is tied to allegations stemming from the latest batch of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
Police said the 72-year-old was detained around 1700 GMT Monday and later released pending further investigation. Officers had earlier searched two of his properties, one in London and another in Wiltshire, as part of the probe. Authorities have not specified which documents are under review but confirmed the investigation concerns whether sensitive material was shared during Mandelson’s time as a government minister.
Arrest Follows Detention of Prince Andrew
The development comes just days after Prince Andrew, also known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested and released under investigation in a separate misconduct in public office inquiry related to the same trove of Epstein-linked documents.
Mandelson, a former envoy to Washington and ex-European Union trade commissioner, had already faced political fallout. Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed him from his diplomatic role in September following earlier disclosures about his ties to Epstein. Starmer later apologized to Epstein’s victims and acknowledged knowing about Mandelson’s friendship with the financier during the vetting process.
Political Pressure Mounts
Law firm Mishcon de Reya, representing Mandelson, said he regrets believing Epstein’s claims about his criminal conduct and did not learn the full truth until after Epstein’s death in 2019. The statement added that Mandelson is “profoundly sorry” for the harm suffered by victims.
The UK government is preparing to release tens of thousands of emails and documents related to Mandelson’s vetting, with the first batch expected in early March. Meanwhile, Mandelson has stepped down from the House of Lords, and his advisory firm, Global Counsel, has reportedly faced financial turmoil and the loss of major clients.
The investigation remains ongoing as Britain’s political establishment faces renewed scrutiny over historic associations with Epstein.
