Peter Mandelson: Police investigating alleged 'misconduct in public office' after latest Epstein files release
It is alleged Mandelson passed highly-sensitive government information to the disgraced financier.
Police are reviewing reports of alleged misconduct in public office after Lord Peter Mandelson was accused of passing “highly sensitive government information” to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK Cabinet Office has confirmed it has referred material to the police after reviewing Epstein file documents.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Mandelson had “let his country down”. Downing Street officials have also confirmed they are drafting legislation to allow Mandelson’s peerage in the House of Lords to be removed “as quickly as possible”.
On Monday, the SNP and Reform UK both reported Mandelson to police after emails suggested he forwarded internal government information to Epstein while he was UK business minister in 2009.
Only hours later the Met Police confirmed it was investigating the reports.
It is alleged Mandelson gave Epstein advanced notice of a €500 billion bailout from the EU to save the Euro, lobbied the Treasury on banking policy at Epstein’s suggestion, and helped an investment banker friend of Epstein to secure a deal with the government to buy a profitable asset in 2010.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was Prime Minister during the time in question, said the leaking of highly-sensitive government documents during the financial crisis was “wholly unacceptable”.
This comes after Lord Mandelson resigned his membership of the Labour Party and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he should no longer be a peer in the House of Lords.
Ella Marriott, commander of the Met Police, said: “We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice.
“Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in public office.
“The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.
“As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate.”
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