The acclaimed feature film will receive its television debut next month on BBC iPlayer

Advertisement

The highly praised feature film Aontas is scheduled to land on BBC iPlayer next month, forming part of BBC Gaeilge’s Seachtain na Gaeilge programming roster.

This Irish language crime thriller has earned global recognition across the film festival circuit throughout 2025 and is set to make its television premiere next month on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Northern Ireland and TG4.

The narrative focuses on three unlikely criminals, spearheaded by Mairéad (Carrie Crowley), a woman on the brink of breakdown, as they plot to rob a rural Irish Credit Union.

As their plan begins to unravel, Mairéad and her two accomplices, sister Cáit (Bríd Brennan) and Sheila (Eva-Jane Gaffney), swiftly realise they can’t escape their past.

The cast is completed by Seán T. Ó Meallaigh (Colly), Marcus Lamb (Dara), Art Parkinson (Éamonn), Naseen Morgan (Elma), Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh (Brian), Bríd Ní Chumhaill (Nóirín), Mary Ryan (Mary), Christopher Grant (Caoimhín), Frankie McCafferty (Len) and Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrighde (Con), reports the Mirror.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Industry season 4 episode 7 Points of Emphasis explained ahead of finaleREAD MORE: Sky News issues breaking news update from BBC after Baftas racial slur fury

Belfast-based writer Damian McCann and Sarah Gordon crafted the screenplay, whilst Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh and Christopher Myers produced for Púca Pictures. Funding for Aontas was provided by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, BBC Gaeilge and TG4, with support from Yellowmoon.

Aontas scooped Clár Teilifíse/Scannán na Bliana at the Oireachtas Media Awards held in Belfast in November 2025.

It also secured Best Film Feature at the San Diego International Film Festival 2025, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, Maryland International Film Festival, Three Rivers Film Festival, Ojai International Film Festival, Manchester International Film Festival and Irish Film Festival London.

Lead actress Carrie Crowley previously shared her thoughts on why she believes “it’s a great time to be an older woman” in cinema.

Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, she remarked: “‘It’s a very good time to be an older woman. I think maybe 30 years ago, would there have been many interesting parts? Probably not, because they were looking for the hot totty all the time.”

The 1997 Eurovision presenter feels the contribution of older women, and their significance in television and cinema, is at last being acknowledged by the industry. “Now we have come to understand that there are stories in older characters and older women. They don’t have to be the leads in the story but they are very much a part of it.”

The actress also discussed how young people don’t require much convincing these days as she believes there is a “hunger for the language among the younger generation”.

And she feels its usage is “now much more widespread” as it is “not just the little elite groups but it is being opened out to other people, regardless of the level they can use it”.

She attributes this to artists such as rappers Kneecap and a shift in attitudes, with more people now prepared “to give it a try.”

The film launches on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Northern Ireland and TG4 on Monday 16 March.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new ** Everything Gossip ** website.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. ** Click here to activate** ** or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.**

North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon area planning committee will debate the application for land off Swinton Road on Tuesday (March 3).

The application was first submitted in 2022 and has been amended several times since, with the number of homes reduced from 48.

The scheme would include 18 affordable properties.

Masham Parish Council has raised a number of concerns and says revisions made to the scheme have not addressed the issues.

These include fears over flooding; additional pressure on Masham sewerage works, increased traffic and highway safety given current speeds and visibility on Swinton Road.

Some 48 local residents have also raised objections over the five rounds of consultation.

A wide range of concerns have been raised, including the scale of the scheme, the loss of agricultural land, that the density of the homes is too high anf the lack of open space and play facilities in the estate.

But a report by planning officers concludes that the application should be passed.

It states: “The scheme would make a positive contribution to delivering housing on an allocated site, including affordable homes, and those that are accessible and adaptable.

“When taking account of the council’s housing land supply at 2.2 years, there is not such significant harm created by the development that would outweigh the benefits provided by the scheme.

“Having regard to the overall planning balance, the proposed scheme complies with the overarching objectives and policies of the local development plan and national planning requirements and thus it represents sustainable development.”

The application will be decided by councillors rather than officers because it is deemed a sensitive site, which Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister has an interest in the land as the owner of Swinton Park.

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting a racial slur while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award at the Baftas

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson has issued a statement after a tic in which he shouted a racial slur at the Bafta awards ceremony on Sunday evening led to widespread backlash.

Mr Davidson, who is the subject of the movie I Swear which was nominated for a number of Baftas, could be heard shouting various expletives throughout the ceremony due to his Tourette’s. He shouted the N-word when Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award at the start of the night.

He has since said he is “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.” Mr Davidson also confirmed he left the auditorium early as he was aware of the “distress” his tics were causing.

It comes after the BBC apologised for not editing a racial slur out of its coverage of the Baftas. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

In a statement on Monday Mr Davidson said: “I wanted to thank Bafta and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

“I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.”

Mr Davidson added: “In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC, and Bafta, I can only add that I am and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”

He concluded the statement by saying that I Swear, “more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.

“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.” For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter

After widespread criticism that the racial slur was broadcast a BBC spokesman said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

Charity Tourettes Action said it “deeply understands” the harm of the racial slur but called for understanding of the condition. The charity said it was “incredibly proud” of Mr Davidson and those involved in the film I Swear, which tells the story of his life having developed the condition when he was 12.

A spokesman for the charity said: “We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

“We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome – tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.

“People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.”

It went on to say that it had found the “backlash” to the incident “deeply saddening”.

During the broadcast the awards ceremony’s presenter Alan Cumming issued an apology for the language viewers may have heard.

He said: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.

Under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, officials can bypass the courts when reclaiming some benefit debts, marking a significant shift in enforcement.

As Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, explains: “Make no mistake, the DWP’s new powers to reach further into citizens’ lives are significant.

“Our committee of course firmly supports Government in its responsibility to ensure people are paid the correct benefits.

“But it is essential that these extensive new powers – of compulsion of disclosure over banks and financial institutions, of recovering funds directly from people’s accounts without the aid of the courts – have the risk of over-reach mitigated against right from the outset.”

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 is now law.

In our latest blog, Nicola Spruce explains what this means in practice and why keeping the DWP updated is more important than ever.

👉https://t.co/C1gcasywVj#WelfareBenefits #DWP #BenefitsAdvice pic.twitter.com/qSb7bsplJR

— Renaissance Legal (@renaissance_uk) January 29, 2026

Advertisement

When can DWP take money from people’s bank accounts?

The power applies where:

A claimant owes money due to benefit overpayments

• Fraud or serious non-compliance has been established
• The person has the means to repay but refuses to engage

Instead of pursuing lengthy court action, DWP can issue a formal recovery notice and instruct a bank to deduct funds directly.

Ministers say the measure targets those who deliberately avoid repayment – not vulnerable claimants struggling to pay.

How direct deductions work

The process includes:

1. Identifying confirmed debt owed to DWP
2. Assessing affordability and financial position
3. Issuing notice before recovery action
4. Instructing the bank to transfer funds

Safeguards are written into the legislation, including oversight and reporting requirements.

The government says it will not seize funds without due process, and that protections exist for hardship cases.

Why the new powers are being introduced

The DWP cites data that benefit fraud and error cost £9.5 billion in 2024–25, around 3.3% of total benefit spending.

The Act is expected to save £1.5 billion by 2029/30, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, as part of wider plans to save £14.6 billion by 2030/31.

Ministers argue that without stronger recovery tools, significant sums remain unpaid for years.

Minister for Transformation Andrew Western MP says: “It is right that as fraud against the public sector evolves, the government has a robust and resolute response.

“The powers granted through the Bill will allow us to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error, and enable the better recovery of debt owed to the taxpayer.”

Concerns about how the DWP will use these new powers

However, the Public Accounts Committee has warned that such “significant” powers must be used proportionately to maintain public trust.

MPs have called for:

• Clear transparency over how often direct deduction powers are used
• Reporting on their impact
• Strong safeguards to prevent misuse

The committee also noted that DWP’s accounts have been qualified for 37 consecutive years due to fraud and error — raising questions about internal controls.

What this means for claimants

For most benefit recipients who report changes and respond to DWP letters, there will be no impact.

But if you:

• Ignore repayment requests
• Refuse to engage over confirmed debt
• Deliberately withhold information

Money could now be taken directly from your account without court action.

Experts say the safest approach is simple: engage early, respond promptly, and seek advice if you cannot afford repayments.

Recommended reading:

A DWP spokesperson said: “We have introduced major reforms to ensure people are paid the correct benefits, to recover overpayments and to help save billions of pounds for the taxpayer.

“The powers in the Fraud, Error and Recovery Act have numerous safeguards and will be independently overseen.

“We will not have access to claimants’ bank accounts when checking they are receiving the correct benefits.

“We are forecasting an ambitious reduction in fraud and error levels to 2.8% by 2028-29, the lowest level since tax credits were introduced in 2003-04.”

Mike Land has completed numerous stunts including a world record attempt for pulling a 1.5 tonne van for 24 hours

Advertisement

A man who woke up in a full body cast after falling 40ft after his bungee snapped has continued to take part in extreme stunts, giving the reason “what’s the worst that can happen?”

Mike Land, 55, has completed numerous stunts including half and full marathons, cross-country cycling races, and a world record attempt for pulling a 1.5 tonne van for 24 hours. All of these have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charitable causes as reported by Manchester Evening News.

His next challenge is taking part in the British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton bike ride for the second time. Going back years however, it was March 1993 when then 22-year-old Mike decided to take part in a charity bungee jump held near his home in Swindon.

His friends signed him up for the jump from a 170ft crane because, he said: “out of the group of us, I was the only one that was stupid enough to do anything”.

When his name was called and he was strapped into his harness at the top of the crane, Mike said he asked the instructor for “the scariest option available”.

Advertisement

Mike said: “He said, what we’ll do is I’ll hold your harness, and you lean out of the crane on your tiptoes, and then I’ll push you so you don’t have to jump, you’ll go out backwards. And he said: If you swan dive backwards, you won’t see any ground until it comes into view.”

Memories from that day include the instructor counting down from five before pushing him from the crane. Based on accounts from onlookers, Mike later learned that “at the full stretch, the rope snapped out of the crane”.

“But the momentum was still carrying me back up… so I was floating up as my rope was getting whipped to the floor, and people said time stopped still,” he said.

Mike fell nearly 40ft to the ground, landing on his head and neck. He recounts: “I dropped to the floor, hit the ground. The rope luckily missed me, because it could have taken my arm off. And I woke up in Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon.”

Mike remembers waking up in a full body cast and being X-rayed, as doctors believed he could have broken his back and his neck, among other serious injuries. He remained in traction, an orthopaedic treatment where weights and pulleys are used to immobilise injuries, for three days.

However he was told that “somehow, luckily”, all he had was a hairline fracture on the right side of his pelvis, damaged ribs on his left side, and a gash on his chin. He recalls being examined at an Army medical centre, and being told that “because you were so relaxed, not understanding what was happening, you just bounced and flexed”.

“He said, if you had tensed up and were screaming, you could have done a lot of damage.”

After being discharged, he had to use crutches for a few months, but was otherwise unharmed from his catastrophic fall. He has suffered some amnesia, losing memories of his school days and childhood and enduring short-term memory loss for around a month after the incident.

“The 10-year school anniversary came round, and everybody was like: Mike, do you remember me? And I’d be saying I do remember some faces, but I can’t remember anything we did. I can’t remember going to school, I can’t remember trips, I can’t remember parties and all sorts,” he explained.

“They would give me little stories and say: ‘Mike, you do realise you’ve always done stupid things – we jumped off a railway bridge into the Trent and all that kind of stuff’.

“So I said: ‘Well, okay then, that says it all really, I was always stupid!’”

During his recovery from his accident, Mike noticed he’d gained some weight from being less mobile, so he decided to begin working out to shed some pounds.

In his friend’s garage gym, he would follow VHS workout videos and started getting fitter. Then, one day, a colleague asked if he fancied doing the Stroud Half Marathon.

“I thought, well, yeah, I’ve never run a half marathon before,” he said. “It took me forever,” he added of the race itself.

“They were closing up by the time I got in.” Mike decided he’d like to get better at running, so joined a local run club and “got the bug”.

“I ended up doing a 10k after a couple of months, and then I did two half marathons two months later, and a cross-country marathon within six months of joining the club. Now, it’s 40 half marathons later, nine marathons, I’ve done Ride London, London Classics (which recognises those who have completed the London Marathon, the RideLondon 100 and the two-mile event at Swim Serpentine), Tough Mudder… You just get hooked, don’t you?”

Aside from working in a gym and helping others reach their fitness goals, Mike continues to race, and has done several races in costume, including the Great North Run and the Berlin Marathon dressed as Captain America. In 2025, he attempted to break the Guinness World Record for pulling a van to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

He pulled a 1.5 tonne van, unassisted, around an empty warehouse for 24 hours for the record attempt, covering 27 miles total and raising over £17,000 for the charity. However, he fell short of the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance pulling a vehicle in 24 hours by an individual, which is 32 miles.

This year, Mike is taking on the British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton bike ride for the second time, a 54-mile ride from Clapham Common to Brighton Seafront that covers the gorgeous countryside south of the capital and some gruelling hill climbs. He hopes to add to his growing fundraising total for various charities through his physical challenges as, he said, with “any charity, charity people are so amazing. So yeah, why not?”

Grace Howarth, event lead at the British Heart Foundation said: “Whatever the reason, the money raised by our London to Brighton Bike Ride goes into helping fund the next medical breakthroughs for the 7.6 million people in the UK currently living with heart and circulatory conditions and brings us closer to our vision of a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer.

“We wish Mike and all our riders the best of luck for the day.” While his list of challenges is ever-growing, there’s one in particular that he’d like to tick off in 2026 – jumping out of an aeroplane.

Even after all he’s been through, he’s not deterred by the prospect of skydiving. “What’s the worst that can happen?”, he smiled.

Mike is taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride in June to raise money for British Heart Foundation.

Visit www.bhf.org.uk/l2b to sign up.

Wilby was caught with items like meat and desserts

A man who stole hundreds of pounds of items including meat from a Peterborough shop has been jailed. Edward Wilby, 36, went to a branch of M&S at the BP garage off Bretton Way seven times from January 27 to February 16.

Each time, he stole items from the shop by putting them in a bag and walking out without paying. On February 17, he went to Aldi in Flaxland, Bretton, where he stole meat worth hundreds of pounds.

With effective communication between stores via Disc, the police were able to arrest Wilby. Disc is an information sharing platform from Peterborough Positive, the city’s Business Improvement District.

Wilby was found by the Spree Offender Team carrying some of the stolen meat. Wilby, of no known address, admitted to eight counts of theft from a shop.

At Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 18, he was jailed for six months. He was also ordered to pay £549.70 in compensation.

PC Rebecca Risebrow, from the Spree Offender Team, said: “Wilby persistently stole from the same shop, taking hundreds of pounds worth of stock.

“He simply strolled in, filled a bag with what he wanted and walked out again.

“This kind of behaviour is incredibly frustrating for retail staff. We’re working closely with businesses to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”

To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .

Ms Campbell KC questioned the officer on the use of CCTV in the missing person investigation, including the need for immediate trawls for footage, seizing key images quickly, how this material  fitted in with other lines of inquiry and ensuring that the timings on the material was accurate.

Manchester United are out to tighten their grip on a top four spot away to Everton this evening.

Michael Carrick’s winning run came to an end last time out against West Ham United with Benjamin Sesko rescuing a dramatic draw in east London.

United have had 13 days without a game since and face a stern examination tonight at the Hill Dickson Stadium having lost to a 10-man Toffees in the reverse fixture in November.

David Moyes’ side are flying high in eighth place but haven’t registered a home win since 6 December.

Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.

MORE: Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong about Arsenal signing after Tottenham win

MORE: Liverpool told to sign £58m Chelsea flop to replace Mohamed Salah

MORE: Michael Carrick pinpoints important decision Man Utd must get right this summer

Duke’s win against Michigan has propelled the Blue Devils to a familiar perch: No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll.

The Blue Devils climbed two spots to top Monday’s poll, marking the 148th appearance at No. 1 to add to what was already the record for any program. Duke (25-2) claimed 56 of 61 first-place votes to supplant Michigan (25-2) after Saturday’s 68-63 win against the Wolverines in Washington.

That win came in a matchup of the top two teams in the NCAA men’s selection committee’s preliminary top 16 seeds for March Madness, released hours before the game. The Blue Devils enter this week with a national-best 12 Quadrant 1 wins, along with nine wins against AP Top 25 teams.

And now the latest such win has pushed the Blue Devils back to a No. 1 ranking for the second straight season under fourth-year coach Jon Scheyer. Last year’s Final Four team sat atop the last two polls entering the NCAA Tournament, the first time Duke had reached No. 1 since Scheyer took over for retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski in 2022.

Arizona rose two spots to No. 2 after beating BYU and winning at Houston, and secured the other five first-place votes. Michigan fell to No. 3 as its first appearance at No. 1 since January 2013 turned into a one-week stay, followed by a pair of Big 12 teams in Iowa State and Houston.

The top tier

UConn fell one spot to No. 6 after a week that included a home loss to Creighton, while reigning national champion Florida leapt five spots to No. 7 to return to the top 10 for the first time since late November. The Gators were ranked No. 3 in the preseason and spent a week among the unranked in early January. They have won seven straight and 12 of 13.

Purdue, Gonzaga and Illinois rounded out the top 10.

NCAA selection committee vs. AP Top 25

The selection committee had Michigan, Duke, Arizona and Iowa State as the No. 1 seeds in Saturday’s reveal of the preliminary top 16 seeds. The Cyclones edged UConn and Houston for the fourth 1-seed, with the Huskies’ loss to Creighton and then Iowa State’s head-to-head win against Houston to start last week swinging the vote to T.J. Otzelberger’s squad.

Monday’s poll largely aligns with the committee’s reveal, starting with the same four teams at the top in a shuffled order — with Iowa State moving up two spots even after Saturday’s loss at now-No. 19 BYU.

In addition, the AP Top 25 and committee align on 15 teams being ranked among those top 16 seeds. The outlier is St. John’s at No. 15 in the AP poll, taking a slot that went to Vanderbilt — with the Commodores seeded 15th overall by the committee Saturday but sliding to No. 25 in Monday’s poll.

Rising

Alabama had the week’s biggest jump, rising eight spots to No. 17 after a thrilling double-overtime home win against Arkansas and a win at LSU pushed the Crimson Tide’s win streak to six games.

Florida had the week’s second-biggest gain, while BYU rose four spots after the Arizona loss and Iowa State win.

In all, 11 teams moved up from last week’s ranking.

Sliding

No. 14 Kansas joined Vanderbilt with the week’s biggest slide of six spots. The Jayhawks are coming off a 16-point home loss to a Cincinnati team that was reeling in early February but has won four straight.

The Commodores lost at Missouri and at home to Tennessee last week, falling to 5-6 since a 16-0 start that carried them to a No. 10 ranking as of mid-January.

Saint Louis tumbled five spots to No. 23 after last week’s loss at Rhode Island ended an 18-game winning streak, while 11 teams fell from last week but remained in the poll.

Status quo

Illinois and No. 20 Arkansas were the only two teams to hold their position from last week.

Coming and going

Tennessee was the lone new addition at No. 22, with the Volunteers beating Oklahoma and Vanderbilt last week to push its winning streak to four games. This starts a third stint in the poll for Rick Barnes’ Volunteers, who fell out for two weeks in mid-January, returned for a week at No. 25 to start February, then were unranked again for the past two weeks.

The Vols replaced Wisconsin, which fell out from No. 24 after last week’s loss at Ohio State.

Conference watch

The Big 12 led all conferences with six ranked teams, while the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference each had five. The Atlantic Coast Conference was next with four, followed by the Big East with two.

The West Coast Conference, Mid-American Conference and Atlantic 10 each had one ranked team.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested after the former Labour minister was accused of leaking Downing Street emails to paedeophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary.

The peer was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, said the Metropolitan Police, after officers attended his home in London on Monday afternoon. The 72-year-old was taken toa London police station for questioning, the force added.

The former US ambassador is alleged to have passed on market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary.

As part of the so-called Epstein files published by the United States Department of Justice, emails from 2009 appear to show Lord Mandelson sent on an assessment by Gordon Brown’s adviser of potential policy measures including an “asset sales plan”.

He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers’ bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

The arrest comes after police searched two of Lord Mandelson’s properties in connection with the allegations.

In a statement confirming the arrest, the Met said: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”

Just minutes before confirmation of Lord Mandelson’s arrest, MPs were told the first tranche of documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador is expected to be released “very shortly in early March”.

However, the publication of some correspondence between Downing Street and the peer will be delayed “because of the Metropolitan Police interest”, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the position despite his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement to the Commons on Monday, Mr Jones said: “The Government intends to publish documents in tranches instead of one publication at the end of the process, given that we are unable to confirm how long that process will take.

“On that basis, the Government expects to be able to publish the first tranche of documents very shortly in early March.

“I should, however, inform the House that it remains the case that a subset of this first tranche of documents is currently subject to the ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation.

“This includes correspondence between number 10 and Lord Peter Mandelson, in which a number of follow up questions were asked.

“Because of the Metropolitan Police interest in this document, we are unable to publish it in early March in the first tranche, but will release it as soon as we are able to do so in consultation with the Metropolitan Police.

“There is also a small portion of that material which engages matters of national security or international relations, and thus the role this House has envisaged for the Intelligence and Security Committee, we are working with the committee to establish processes for making this material available to them, and we’re very grateful to the committee in advance of their important contribution to reviewing these documents.”

The Conservatives accused the Government of acting “with the urgency of a tired sloth on a bank holiday Monday” in releasing documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the US ambassador.

Addressing the Commons on Monday, Mike Wood said: “Careful work must not become a euphemism for managed delay.

“It is time the Government stopped treating Parliament like an inconvenient interruption to their schedule, stopped giving every impression that they have priorities working out who’s back to cover, and started providing some actual answers so that we can start to get to the bottom of this murky matter.”

Mr Jones responded that the Government was trying to manage a criminal investigation, and “I’m sure the House would not want us to inadvertently interfere with that process”.