Peter Mandelson Arrested Today: Epstein Files Scandal Engulfs Former UK Ambassador
Peter Mandelson, one of Britain's most powerful political figures of the last three decades, was arrested today — Monday, February 23, 2026 — at his home in Camden, north London, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The Metropolitan Police led the 72-year-old former Labour grandee and ex-UK ambassador to the United States away from his residence and took him to a London police station for questioning, in a case that has rocked British politics to its core.
What Peter Mandelson Is Accused Of
The Peter Mandelson arrest stems directly from a damning cache of emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the ongoing Epstein files disclosures. Those documents allege that Mandelson, while serving as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown's government between 2009 and 2010, repeatedly passed sensitive and potentially market-moving government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Among the most explosive alleged revelations from the documents:
| Date | Alleged Action |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2009 | Allegedly leaked a high-level Downing Street document revealing Labour's tax policy plans to Epstein |
| October 2009 | Allegedly lobbied JPMorgan Chase at Epstein's request; Epstein reportedly told him to "be nice to Sultan" to help push through a port deal |
| May 9, 2010 | Allegedly gave Epstein advance notice of a €500 billion EU bailout to save the Euro |
| May 10, 2010 | Allegedly sent Epstein an internal government memo addressed to then-PM Gordon Brown, with the note "Interesting note that's gone to the PM" |
| May 10, 2010 | Sent the message "finally got him to go today" — the day Gordon Brown resigned as Prime Minister |
| 2009–2010 | He and his husband allegedly received at least $75,000 USD in payments from Epstein |
The Cabinet Office referred this material to police on February 3, 2026. Mandelson has not been accused of any sexual misconduct.
A Political Career Unraveling in Real Time
The timeline of Peter Mandelson's fall has been swift and total:
September 2025 — Fired as UK Ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Keir Starmer after emails surfaced showing he maintained a friendship with Epstein long after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.
January 2026 — Fresh U.S. DOJ document releases revealed deeper alleged ties, including payments to Mandelson and lobbying activity on Epstein's behalf.
February 1, 2026 — Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party.
February 3, 2026 — Stepped down from the House of Lords. Metropolitan Police opened a criminal investigation.
February 6, 2026 — CEO of Global Counsel, the advisory firm Mandelson co-founded, resigned. The firm — which counted Barclays, Tesco, and the Premier League among its clients — went into administration days later.
February 23, 2026 — Arrested at his Camden home by plainclothes officers and taken to a London police station for questioning.
His arrest comes just four days after former Prince Andrew — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — was also arrested and briefly detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with the Epstein files.
Impact on PM Keir Starmer
Peter Mandelson's scandal has created serious political turbulence for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington and has since admitted he knew about Mandelson's ongoing Epstein friendship during the vetting process — a revelation that has left Starmer's position under sustained pressure. Starmer has apologized to Epstein's victims for the appointment and accused Mandelson of lying during the vetting process. The government has confirmed it will release tens of thousands of emails and documents related to Mandelson's appointment in early March 2026 — a disclosure that is expected to intensify scrutiny further.
Mandelson's Position
His law firm, Mishcon de Reya, said earlier in February that Mandelson "regrets, and will regret until his dying day, that he believed Epstein's lies about his criminality," and that he is "profoundly sorry that powerless and vulnerable women and girls were not given the protection they deserved." Mandelson himself has consistently denied any knowledge of or complicity in Epstein's sexual crimes.
As of tonight, he remains in police custody for questioning. No charges have been filed.
