Peter Mandelson Arrested Over Misconduct In Public Office

Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former Labour minister and US ambassador has been accused of passing on market sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary in the wake of the global financial crash.

Two of his properties have been searched by police. Mandelson denies any wrongdoing.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson 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, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

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

Footage shown by broadcasters shows a plain clothed police officer leading Lord Mandelson out of a house.

Lord Mandelson then gets into the left rear seat of a waiting unmarked Ford Focus police car.

Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to Washington last September, just seven months after being appointed by Keir Starmer, after more details emerged about his links to Epstein.

The fresh allegations about his conduct followed the release of millions of documents about Epstein by the US Department of Justice last month.

Earlier this month, the scandal led to the resignation of No.10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who said he was taking responsibility for advising the PM to give Mandelson the plum diplomatic role.

Mandelson also resigned his seat in the House of Lords, although he still retains his title.

His arrest comes just days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, another former associate of Epstein, was also arrested over allegations he committed misconduct in a public office when he was a UK trade envoy.