Metropolitan Police Initiate Criminal Investigation Into Peter Mandelson Regarding Allegations of Sharing Sensitive Information With Epstein

Authorities are looking into Peter Mandelson regarding allegations that he disclosed market-sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein amid the financial crisis.

The Metropolitan Police has initiated a criminal investigation concerning Lord Peter Mandelson, focusing on allegations of misconduct in public office related to his connection with Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Labour minister and ex-UK ambassador to the United States faces allegations of sharing market-sensitive government information with a US financier and convicted sex offender during his tenure as business secretary under former prime minister Gordon Brown in 2009.

Emails obtained from the US Department of Justice suggest that Lord Mandelson shared sensitive information with Epstein during the global financial crisis. Lord Mandelson has not publicly addressed requests for comment; however, it is understood that he did not act with criminal intent and was not driven by financial gain.

A spokesperson for the government stated that ministers are willing to aid the investigation, remarking: “The government is prepared to offer any support and assistance that the police require.”

Lord Mandelson, previously dismissed as the UK ambassador to the US last year, has notified parliamentary authorities of his intention to resign from the House of Lords on Wednesday. While he will resign from his position as a sitting peer, he will keep his life peerage unless it is revoked by legislation.

On Monday, the Scottish National Party and Reform UK announced that they had referred Lord Mandelson to Scotland Yard. On Tuesday, the UK government announced that it had formally referred material to the police following a review of emails purportedly sent by Lord Mandelson to Epstein.

A spokesperson for No 10 stated that an initial evaluation indicated the documents seemed to hold “likely market-sensitive information related to the 2008 financial crash.”

Gordon Brown, who held the position of prime minister from 2007 to 2010, stated that he had communicated with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, providing “relevant” information. He mentioned that he had earlier requested the cabinet secretary to look into the validity of the assertions in the Epstein documents concerning asset sales after the banking collapse.

Brown characterized the purported correspondence as “an inexcusable and unpatriotic act at a time when the entire government and nation were striving to tackle the global financial crisis.”

Met Police Commander Ella Marriott announced that officers have initiated an investigation into a 72-year-old former government minister regarding offences related to misconduct in public office.

“In light of the additional release of millions of court documents concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the Met has received several reports, including a referral from the UK government,” she stated. “We will keep evaluating all pertinent information and will refrain from further comments at this moment.”

During the weekend, Lord Mandelson expressed his regret regarding his association with Epstein and offered a “unequivocal” apology to the women and girls who endured suffering.

Downing Street announced that legislation is being prepared to facilitate the swift removal of Lord Mandelson’s peerage. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer informed Cabinet colleagues that Lord Mandelson had “let his country down,” characterizing the alleged conduct as “disgraceful,” as reported by No 10.

Sir Keir expressed that he was “not reassured that the totality of the information had yet emerged.”

The emails are included in a substantial collection of documents made public by the US Department of Justice on Friday. Messages from 2008 seem to indicate that Lord Mandelson was in discussions with Epstein regarding a one-time tax on bankers’ bonuses.

Additional documents seem to indicate that Lord Mandelson informed Epstein ahead of time about a €500bn EU bailout intended to stabilize the eurozone. The files further claim that Epstein made three payments of $25,000 to Lord Mandelson in 2003 and 2004, a matter that Lord Mandelson has stated he does not remember and has no documentation of receiving. In 2009, Epstein is also said to have transferred £10,000 to Reinaldo Avila da Silva, who is the partner of Lord Mandelson.

On Sunday, Lord Mandelson announced his resignation from the Labour Party, asserting that allegations regarding payments made to him by Epstein two decades prior were untrue.

His friendship with Epstein was acknowledged at the time of his appointment as US ambassador in 2024, but he was dismissed from the position last year after additional information about their association came to light. The government is currently under scrutiny regarding its vetting process.

On Wednesday, ministers are anticipated to announce their readiness to release information regarding Lord Mandelson’s appointment. The Conservatives intend to utilize a parliamentary mechanism referred to as a humble address to enforce disclosure, despite the government’s suggestion of an amendment that permits exemptions for national security and international relations.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated that the prime minister had “a lot of questions to answer,” while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged for a public inquiry into how Epstein managed to gain access to senior figures within the British political establishment.