The photo shows Peter Mandelson, on the right, being escorted from a house to a car, in London (AFP)
Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, has been released on bail after being arrested in a misconduct investigation relating to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Mandelson was filmed being led from his London home to a car by plainclothes officers on Monday afternoon.
Epstein Net Tightened: Peter Mandelson questioned in London investigation
He, along with former Prince Andrew, is suspected of improperly passing British government information to Epstein. Unlike Prince Andrew, Mandelson does not face accusations of sexual misconduct.The arrests follow the US Department of Justice’s publication last month of more than 3 million pages of documents linked to Epstein.
The messages indicate that Mandelson shared sensitive government information in 2009, when he was a senior minister. These included an internal government report discussing ways in which the UK could raise money after the 2008 global financial crisis, including selling government assets. Mandelson also appears to have told Epstein that he would pressure other members of the government to reduce the tax on bankers’ bonuses.Emails have been published showing he maintained a friendship with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes involving a minor.
The files released in January included further revelations about Mandelson’s ties to Epstein, whom he once described as “my best friend.”Mandelson held senior positions under previous Labor governments and was the UK ambassador to Washington until he was fired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September. British police launched a criminal investigation earlier this month and searched Mandelson’s homes in London and western England. His arrest came just four days after Prince Andrew was detained in a separate case on suspicion of committing a similar crime, and he was released after 11 hours in detention while investigations continue.Earlier this month, Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Parliament, where he had held a life position since 2008. He retains his title – Lord Mandelson.
