Police in London have released former British ambassador Peter Mandelson on bail as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct in public office connected to his past association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the 72-year-old was arrested on Monday afternoon and freed roughly nine hours later pending further inquiries.
“A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation,” police said in a brief statement.
Television footage earlier showed Mandelson being escorted from his north London home after officers executed search warrants at multiple properties this month.
The arrest follows closely on the detention of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, who was questioned and released under investigation in a separate probe also linked to newly surfaced Epstein-related documents.
Mandelson, a veteran figure in United Kingdom politics and the country’s former envoy to United States, is accused of potentially sharing sensitive government material with Epstein while serving as a cabinet minister, including during the 2008 global financial crisis. Authorities have not detailed which documents are under scrutiny.
He was dismissed in September by Prime Minister Keir Starmer from his diplomatic post in Washington after earlier disclosures revealed the extent of his relationship with Epstein, sparking a political backlash and the resignation of two senior aides.
Starmer has since apologised to Epstein’s victims and accused Mandelson of downplaying the depth of the association during vetting for the role.
Mandelson’s lawyers at Mishcon de Reya said he “regrets, and will regret until his dying day,” trusting Epstein and insisted he only learned of the financier’s crimes after his death in 2019.
In response to mounting pressure, the government plans to publish thousands of emails and documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment and clearance process in early March.
The controversy has also had professional consequences. Mandelson recently stepped down from the House of Lords and his advisory firm Global Counsel has entered administration. Several major clients, including Barclays, Tesco and the Premier League, have reportedly cut ties.
Police confirmed that specialist crime officers searched properties linked to Mandelson in both London and Wiltshire earlier this month.
Investigations remain ongoing, with authorities indicating further updates will be provided as the inquiry progresses.