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Files released by US Department of Justice appear to show Mandelson passing sensitive material to the paedophile financier
Millie Cooke Political correspondent, Tara Cobham, Bryony Gooch, Kate Devlin & Jane DaltonTuesday 03 February 2026 23:14 GMT- Bookmark
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A criminal investigation has been launched into allegations that Lord Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday evening that the ex-Labour minister would be investigated over allegations of misconduct in a public office.
Files released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) last Friday appear to show that Lord Mandelson passed material to Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown's Labour administration as it dealt with the 2008 financial crash and its aftermath.
The former British ambassador to the US has announced he is stepping down from the House of Lords, after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer threatened legislation within weeks to strip him of his title.
Sir Keir told his Cabinet that the alleged transmission of highly sensitive government business to Epstein was disgraceful and that Lord Mandelson had "let his country down".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "It is right that Peter Mandelson will no longer be a member of the House of Lords."
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Key Points
- Police launch criminal investigation into allegations against ex-ambassador
- Lord Mandelson to step down from House of Lords
- Government passes information to police as Starmer orders investigation into Mandelson’s time in office
- New revelations about Sarah Ferguson emerge after latest release of Epstein files
- Andrew congratulated Epstein on his release from house arrest
- Mandelson insists he won’t ‘hide under a rock’ despite ‘shocking’ email revelations
Pictured: Epstein and Mandelson together in latest release
(US Department of Justice)Read moreBryony Gooch2 February 2026 23:00Watch: Lib Dems call for national inquiry into Epstein’s links with Mandelson
Fresh call for national inquiry into Epstein’s links with Mandelson
Jane Dalton3 February 2026 23:00Breaking: Andrew 'moving out of Royal Lodge' according to reports
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has moved out of his home in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk according to the BBC, Sky News and The Sun.
The former prince left Royal Lodge on Monday night and is currently living in a temporary property on the Sandringham Estate while his permanent home undergoes renovations.
Buckingham Palace did not comment on the matter when contacted by The Independent.
Bryony Gooch3 February 2026 22:46Police assessing claim woman was ‘sent to UK for sex with Andrew’
Police assessing claim woman was ‘sent to UK for sex with Andrew’
Lawyers representing the woman have urged the King to contact themJane Dalton3 February 2026 22:15Tories seek to force Starmer to release Mandelson appointment papers
The Conservatives will seek to force the government to release all information on Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch demanded Downing Street explain the vetting process as she claimed concerns were "waived away" so that the prime minister could make "a political appointment of a man who is a close friend of a convicted paedophile".
The Conservative Party on Wednesday intends to table a humble address motion, an arcane parliamentary mechanism which can be used to compel the government to produce documents.
Information it will demand be published include the due diligence work carried out by the Cabinet Office, emails between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney relating to his association with Epstein, minutes of meetings held about the appointment and details of payments made to Lord Mandelson on his departure from the Washington role.
Humble addresses, if passed, are binding on ministers.
Jane Dalton3 February 2026 22:00No records found in Mandelson's mailbox, Brown tells police
Ex-prime minister Gordon Brown has written to the chief of the Metropolitan Police with information relating to Lord Mandelson's alleged disclosure of market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein.
He said he had given Sir Mark Rowley information relating to an "inexcusable and unpatriotic act".
Newly released emails from 2009 appeared to show Lord Mandelson shared sensitive information on at least four occasions.
Mr Brown told the Press Association: "I have included the letter I sent in September 2025 asking the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the veracity of information contained in the Epstein papers regarding the sale of assets arising from the banking collapse and communications about them between Lord Mandelson and Mr Epstein.
"I have also included the November 2026 (sic) response from the Cabinet Secretary who said about this that 'no records of information or correspondence from Lord Mandelson's mailbox' could be found.”
It has been reported that Lord Mandelson used a private email address to correspond with senior government figures and Epstein, and that the Cabinet Office cannot retrieve the messages because it is now defunct.
Jane Dalton3 February 2026 20:58Government says it will support police investigation
The Government has said it will provide any support the Metropolitan Police needs in its criminal investigation into allegations Lord Peter Mandelson leaked confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein.
A Government spokesperson said: "The Government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."
Daniel Keane3 February 2026 19:30Badenoch welcomes investigation into Mandelson
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it is “right” there is a full criminal investigation into allegations Lord Peter Mandelson passed market sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein.
However, she told broadcasters it “should not distract from the fact that the Prime Minister appointed a man who was the close friend and associate of a notorious and convicted paedophile”.
Daniel Keane3 February 2026 19:16Met Police release statement on Mandelson
The Met Police have released a full statement on the investigation into Lord Mandelson.
Commander Ella Marriott, from the Metropolitan Police, said: "Following the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice, the Met received a number of reports into alleged misconduct in public office including a referral from the UK Government.
"I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offences.
"The Met will continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation and won't be commenting any further at this time."
Daniel Keane3 February 2026 19:01Mandelson facing police probe over Epstein emails as he quits House of Lords - full report
Mandelson facing police probe over Epstein emails as he quits House of Lords
Prime minister accuses Lord Mandelson of letting ‘his country down’ as the disgraced peer bows to pressure to quit the House of LordsJane Dalton3 February 2026 18:39Newer1 / 5OlderMore about
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