British authorities have taken former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 72-year-old diplomat faces allegations of sharing sensitive government information with Epstein over a decade ago, though no sexual misconduct charges are involved.
LONDON — Authorities in Britain have detained Peter Mandelson, the former United Kingdom’s ambassador to America, as part of an ongoing investigation into his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. The arrest occurred on Monday, just days following the detention of former Prince Andrew in a related case involving the convicted financier.
The detention comes as authorities continue examining over 3 million pages of Epstein-related materials made public by the U.S. Justice Department.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers detained a 72-year-old individual on charges related to misconduct in public office at a residence in northern London. The suspect was transported to a police facility for interrogation.
While police did not release the suspect’s identity following standard British protocol, the individual has been previously identified as the former diplomat, who is 72 years old. Video footage captured Mandelson being escorted from his London residence by two undercover officers on Monday afternoon.
British law permits authorities to detain suspects without formal charges for up to 24 hours, with possible extensions reaching 96 hours maximum. Mandelson may face formal charges, unconditional release, or release pending continued investigation.
Investigators are examining allegations that Mandelson shared confidential government data with Epstein approximately fifteen years ago. The case does not involve any sexual misconduct accusations.
His detention occurred four days following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, on similar charges connected to his relationship with Epstein. Andrew was freed after spending 11 hours in custody while the investigation proceeds.
Mandelson lost his diplomatic position in September after published emails revealed he continued his relationship with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction on sex crimes involving a minor.
Mandelson held high-ranking government positions under previous Labour administrations and served as Britain’s ambassador to Washington until Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed him in September due to his Epstein connections.
The Epstein documents indicate that Mandelson shared confidential government intelligence with Epstein in 2009, when Mandelson held a government position. This included an internal government analysis exploring methods for Britain to generate revenue following the 2008 financial crisis, including through government asset sales. Mandelson also reportedly informed Epstein he would advocate with other government officials to lower taxes on banking bonuses.
British authorities initiated a criminal investigation earlier this month and conducted searches of Mandelson’s residences in London and western England.
Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson nearly jeopardized his position as questions arose about his judgment regarding someone with a controversial political history spanning decades.
While Starmer has admitted his error and issued apologies to Epstein’s victims, his political future remains uncertain. His survival may depend on files related to Mandelson’s appointment. The government has committed to releasing these documents in early March, though his arrest may complicate this schedule.
Mandelson has remained a significant, though controversial, figure within the center-left Labour Party for decades. He is recognized as a skilled political strategist whose expertise in political maneuvering earned him the moniker “Prince of Darkness.”
As the grandson of former Labour Cabinet member Herbert Morrison, he helped orchestrate the party’s 1997 return to power as the centrist “New Labour” movement under Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mandelson occupied senior government roles under Blair from 1997 to 2001, and under Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010. He also served as the European Union’s trade commissioner during this period. Brown has expressed particular anger over these revelations and has assisted police in their investigation.
During the Blair years, Mandelson resigned from government twice due to allegations of financial or ethical violations, admitting errors while maintaining his innocence.
He subsequently returned to government service and resumed frontline politics when Starmer appointed him as ambassador to Washington at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second administration. Mandelson’s trade knowledge and ease with wealthy individuals were viewed as significant advantages. He successfully negotiated a trade agreement in May that protected Britain from some tariffs Trump imposed globally.
The agreement’s future remains uncertain following Trump’s announcement of new worldwide tariffs after a Supreme Court ruling overturned his previous import tax directive.