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Police are currently examining allegations of misconduct in public office following claims that Lord Peter Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender. The allegations surfaced after email exchanges, made public by the US Department of Justice, suggested that Mandelson, while serving as business secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009, forwarded confidential government details to Epstein. The Scottish National Party (SNP) and Reform UK have formally reported the peer to the police, with calls for investigation also coming from the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, and several Labour MPs.
The Metropolitan Police, through Commander Ella Marriott, confirmed their awareness of the recent release of court documents related to Epstein by the US Department of Justice. She stated that following media coverage, the police had received multiple reports concerning alleged misconduct in public office, which they will review to determine if criminal investigations are warranted. A government spokesperson emphasized that it is appropriate for the police to decide on any investigations, assuring that the government will provide full support where necessary.
The controversy has prompted further political responses. Downing Street revealed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer believes Lord Mandelson should neither hold membership in the House of Lords nor use his title. However, officials clarified that the prime minister does not have the authority to remove a peer’s title directly, and such an action would require new legislation. Meanwhile, the government has launched an urgent inquiry into Mandelson’s contact with Epstein while he was a government minister. Notably, Mandelson has been on leave from the House of Lords since taking up a US ambassadorial role in December 2024 but was dismissed from this post in September 2025 amid escalating concerns about his relationship with Epstein. Recently, he resigned from the Labour Party after decades as an influential figure within it.
Further revelations emerged from the newly released emails, which indicate activities such as Mandelson advising Epstein in 2009 that the head of JP Morgan should “mildly threaten” the UK chancellor over a proposed tax on bankers’ bonuses. Other communications reportedly showed Mandelson providing Epstein with prior knowledge of a €500 billion EU bailout intended to stabilize the euro. The files also allege financial transactions between Epstein and Mandelson, including three payments of $25,000 to the peer in 2003 and 2004, and a £10,000 payment to Mandelson’s partner in 2009. Prominent figures have condemned these findings, with SNP leader Stephen Flynn calling for a thorough investigation and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordering a comprehensive review into the disclosure of sensitive financial crisis-era information. Brown stated that investigations had previously yielded no evidence of communications regarding asset sales but that a broader inquiry had now been requested.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, addressing MPs, described the undisclosed exchange of money and government information with a convicted paedophile as “wholly unconscionable.” He added that efforts would be made to modernize disciplinary measures within the House of Lords, enabling removal of peers who damage the integrity of the institution. Additionally, Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart criticized the government for the initial appointment of Mandelson as an ambassador despite awareness of his connections to Epstein. Some Labour MPs privately expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, arguing that the party should have taken a stronger stance. Mandelson himself denied allegations about financial payments from Epstein two decades ago, while apologizing unequivocally to the victims who suffered as a result of Epstein’s actions and expressing remorse over continuing ties with Epstein after his conviction.
The disclosed emails include correspondence in which Mandelson, then business secretary, discussed government plans for a one-time tax on bankers’ bonuses with Epstein, responding affirmatively to a proposal that JP Morgan’s CEO should “mildly threaten” the chancellor. Other emails suggest Mandelson passed internal government communications concerning asset sales during the financial crisis directly to Epstein. Nick Butler, a policy advisor at the time, expressed shock at the disclosures and called for a full investigation, stating that the post-crisis period contained information that Epstein could have exploited. Additional emails indicate that communications about stabilizing financial markets and supporting struggling companies were also forwarded to Epstein, though it is unclear who sent some of these messages.
In his resignation statement from the Labour Party, Lord Mandelson reaffirmed that allegations involving financial payments from Epstein were false but acknowledged his regret for maintaining contact with Epstein after his conviction. He apologized sincerely to the women and girls who suffered as a result, marking the latest development in a scandal that continues to unfold
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