Former British Ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, was arrested Monday by British police as part of a misconduct in public office investigation. The probe follows revelations about his connection to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Police stated they arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office, though they did not initially name Mandelson. However, earlier searches of properties linked to the former ambassador and broadcast footage indicated his detention. He is currently being questioned.
The investigation intensified this month following the release of new Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. These documents detail Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Emails within the files suggest Mandelson may have shared market-sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009, during his tenure as business secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mandelson has faced no allegations of sexual misconduct.
This arrest occurs shortly after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was detained in a separate, similar investigation also related to his ties with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor was released pending further investigation.