Peter Mandelson Released After Public Office Misconduct Allegations

Lord Peter Mandelson has been released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former Labour minister and US ambassador was taken into custody by detectives on Monday evening.

He 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.

In a statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

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

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

“We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.”

Television footage on Monday showed a plain clothed police officer leading Lord Mandelson out of his house.

He then got 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.