Lord Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Image: SKY NEWS)
5 things you need to know as Lord Mandelson arrested
- Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Met Police said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for an interview on Monday. Lord Mandelson has been accused of passing sensitive information to billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. He denies any wrongdoing and has previously apologised for his links to the financier.
- The allegations surfaced following the US Department of Justice’s latest release from the so-called Epstein files. Emails from 2009 appear to show Lord Mandelson passed on an assessment by Gordon Brown’s adviser of potential policy measures, including an “asset sales plan”. He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers’ bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro, the day before it was announced in 2010.
- Lord Mandelson’s arrest comes days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Duke of York was released under investigation after he was also accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
- His arrest piles pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who has faced intense criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. The Prime Minister has admitted to knowing about his ongoing links with Epstein but insisted he “lied repeatedly” about the extent of the relationship when questioned on it. It is the latest development in a fall from grace that has seen him resign his Labour membership and stand down from the House of Lords.
- Shortly before the Met Police announced Lord Mandelson’s arrest, the Government confirmed that the first documents relating to his appointment to the Washington role are due to be shared early next month. The Prime Minister was pushed into agreeing to release the papers by Labour MPs and opposition parties. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Lord Mandelson’s arrest is “the defining moment of Keir Starmer‘s premiership”. She added: “Time to release the Mandelson files in full. We must know who knew what and when. No more delays.”