UK Police Launch Criminal Investigation Into Peter Mandelson Over Epstein Files

Police Confirm Criminal Inquiry

The Metropolitan Police Service confirmed this week that it had opened an official investigation after receiving multiple reports relating to Mandelson’s past dealings with Epstein.

A spokesperson for the force said specialist detectives from the Central Specialist Crime Command were handling the case and assessing whether criminal offences may have been committed.

“We can confirm that an investigation is under way into allegations of misconduct in public office,” the statement said. “Inquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart, who is overseeing the investigation, described the case as complex and said detectives would require time to analyze documents, digital records, and witness accounts.

Searches Conducted at Mandelson Properties

As part of the investigation, police executed search warrants at two properties connected to Mandelson.

Officers were seen entering a residence in the Camden area of London and another property in Wiltshire in southwestern England. Boxes of documents and electronic materials were reportedly removed for forensic examination.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the searches were carried out lawfully and were part of routine evidence-gathering procedures.

“These actions were undertaken as part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” the force said. “They should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt.”

Mandelson has not been detained or formally interviewed under caution, though legal experts say that could occur at a later stage depending on the strength of evidence uncovered.

What the Allegations Involve

The investigation centers on whether Mandelson passed confidential government information to Epstein during the period when he served as Business Secretary in the UK government.

Emails released from Epstein’s archives reportedly show exchanges in which Mandelson discussed economic policy, financial market conditions, and internal government thinking.

Investigators are examining whether any of those communications included material that should have remained restricted or classified, and whether Epstein may have used such information for personal or financial advantage.

Under British law, “misconduct in public office” occurs when a public official abuses their position, breaches public trust, or acts in a way that constitutes serious wrongdoing. The offence can carry significant penalties if proven in court.

Political Fallout in Westminster

The scandal has quickly escalated into a major political crisis.

Mandelson, a veteran Labour Party figure and former European Union trade commissioner, was appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 to serve as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.

That appointment is now at the center of fierce criticism after it emerged that Mandelson’s past links to Epstein were known before he was given the diplomatic post.

Opposition politicians have accused Starmer of failing to properly vet Mandelson and ignoring warning signs about his previous relationship with Epstein.

Facing mounting pressure, Starmer publicly condemned the allegations, describing the reported conduct as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

The Prime Minister later issued an apology to Epstein’s victims, acknowledging that appointing Mandelson had been an error of judgment.

Mandelson Resigns From Public Roles

As the controversy intensified, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords.

In a brief statement, he said he did not want the allegations to become a distraction for the government or his party.

“I regret the embarrassment that this situation has caused,” Mandelson said, while maintaining that he had acted properly during his years in public service.

He has not issued detailed public comment on the specific contents of the Epstein emails and has declined to address questions while the police investigation continues.

Pressure on the UK Government

The affair has created serious challenges for the Starmer administration.

Critics argue that the government was too slow to respond once the new Epstein documents became public and that more rigorous background checks should have been conducted before Mandelson was entrusted with a senior diplomatic position.

Some lawmakers have called for a full parliamentary inquiry into how Mandelson was appointed and what officials knew about his history at the time.

There have also been demands for the complete release of all government correspondence relating to Mandelson and Epstein in the interest of transparency.

However, police have requested that certain documents remain confidential for now to avoid jeopardizing the criminal investigation.

International Implications

Because Mandelson served as Britain’s top diplomat in Washington, the case has also attracted attention in the United States.

American officials have largely refrained from commenting, but diplomatic observers say the scandal has been an unwelcome distraction in UK-US relations.

Both governments have emphasized that broader strategic ties remain strong and that cooperation on security, trade, and global affairs continues unaffected.

The investigation has also renewed global interest in the far-reaching network of relationships maintained by Epstein prior to his death in 2019.

However, any potential prosecution would require investigators to prove that Mandelson knowingly shared information that he was obligated to keep confidential, according to legal analysts.

They would also need to demonstrate that his actions amounted to serious abuse of public trust rather than informal or harmless communication.

Cases involving former high-ranking officials are notoriously difficult to pursue, particularly when they relate to events that occurred many years earlier.

Related: King Charles Heckled in Dedham Over Prince Andrew’s Link to Epstein Files

Many members of the public have expressed anger that a senior figure was allowed to maintain contact with Epstein long after his criminal history was widely known.

The case is likely to remain one of the most significant political and legal controversies in Britain in recent years.