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By John Ogunsemore
British police on Monday arrested former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office, amid an ongoing investigation into his ties with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The veteran Labour Party politician was detained at his home in north London by plainclothes officers from the Metropolitan Police.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 72-year-old man but declined to name him, in line with standard procedure.
“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview,” a police statement reads.
Television footage captured Mandelson, who was not handcuffed, being led to a waiting car around 4:16 pm local time and taken to a police station for questioning.
The arrest follows allegations that Mandelson leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary under then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown between 2008 and 2010, at the height of the global financial crisis.
Emails released by the US Department of Justice in late January revealed correspondence between the two, including instances where Mandelson appeared to share insider details on European bailout discussions.
Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has been a source of controversy for years.
Documents show Mandelson referred to Epstein as his “best pal” in a 2003 birthday note and received over $75,000 in payments from him around that time.
He reportedly stayed at Epstein’s Manhattan apartment in 2009 while the disgraced financier was under house arrest following a 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.
Mandelson also sent messages of support to Epstein during his incarceration and encouraged efforts for his early release.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson to the prestigious Washington ambassadorship in December 2024, despite prior knowledge of his Epstein connections.
However, Mandelson was dismissed from the post in September 2025 after further emails surfaced, and he resigned from the House of Lords earlier this month amid mounting pressure.
At the time, Mandelson denied any wrongdoing, saying he had no record or recollection of being paid by Epstein “20 years ago”.
This development comes days after former Prince Andrew was similarly arrested and released in connection with his own Epstein ties, also on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly leaking sensitive information.
The Metropolitan Police launched their investigation into Mandelson on February 3, following the DOJ’s document release.
No charges have been filed against the ex-envoy and the investigation remains active.
Mandelson has not publicly commented on the arrest.
