Peter Mandelson: peter mandelson released on bail after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office
peter mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been released on bail, the Metropolitan Police said. The arrest comes as investigators probe allegations linked to emails that emerged in a tranche of documents released by the US Department of Justice.
Peter Mandelson arrested in Camden and released on bail
The Metropolitan Police said the 72-year-old man was arrested at an address in Camden, north London, on Monday and taken to Wandsworth police station for interview. On Monday afternoon he was seen being led away from his London home by plain clothes officers and placed in the back of an unmarked car; he was later released on bail pending further investigation. He was also seen returning to his London home at 02: 00 GMT.
Search warrants in Wiltshire and Camden as central specialist crime division carries out enquiries
The arrest followed search warrants executed at two addresses in Wiltshire and Camden. The arrest was carried out by officers from the Met's central specialist crime division, and consultations between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service are ongoing.
Probe focuses on alleged passing of market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein
The force launched an investigation earlier this month over allegations that, while serving as a government minister, Lord Mandelson had passed on market-sensitive government information to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations surfaced after the US Department of Justice released a tranche of documents last month that included emails between him and Epstein.
Emails cited from 2009 and references to policy and rescue plans
Among the material, an email from 2009 appears to show he passed on an assessment by an adviser to the then prime minister Gordon Brown about policy measures, including an "asset sales plan". Other messages appear to show discussion of a tax on bankers' bonuses and a confirmation of an imminent bailout package for the Euro on the day before it was announced in 2010.
Diplomatic appointment, sacking and government documents
peter mandelson became the British ambassador to the US in February 2025 but was sacked in September after Downing Street said new information about the depth of his relationship with Epstein had emerged. The government has said it expects to release the first documents relating to his appointment in "early March. " Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told a breakfast television programme that the government's "intention is to disclose documents but we have to tread with some care in making sure that any documents we release don't jeopardise an ongoing police investigation. " She added: "There is a live investigation and when that happens it would be totally irresponsible to do anything that might put at risk their important work, but yes we are committed to transparency around all of this. "
Reactions from Virginia Giuffre's family and others
Responding to the arrest, the family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse, said they "commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand. " The statement noted that Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein. In a separate statement, Amanda Roberts said: "The contrast with the continued inaction in the United States is undeniable. Survivors deserve transparency, swift investigation, and real justice, no matter who is implicated. "
