Former British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson is taken from his home by a police officer as he is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations about his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in London, Britain, February 23, 2026, in this screenshot from video.
BBC | Via Reuters
London police released Peter Mandelsonformer British Ambassador to the UNITED STATESout on bail Tuesday local time, hours after his arrest earlier.
Mandelson under investigation for relationship with notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
London Metropolitan Police said Lord Mandelson, 72, was arrested Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, on the same grounds that other British police officers arrested and briefly detained last week. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and longtime friend of Epstein.
Police did not identify Mandelson by name, as is customary in Britain, but photos of him being taken from his home by police were released Monday.
In an update Tuesday, police said “a 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office” has been released on bail pending further investigation.
The police were known to investigate whether he disclosed market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was a government minister during the global financial crisis of 2009 and 2010.
Mandelson, who was fired in September on the orders of the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after revelations about his dealings with Epstein, has previously denied any wrongdoing.
“He was arrested at an address in Camden… and was taken to a London police station for an interview,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
“This followed search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden area,” police said. “We are unable to provide further information at this time to avoid undermining the integrity of the investigation.”
Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords in early February, but retained his Lordship.
In a statement he said: “I want to say loud and clear that I was wrong to believe [Epstein] following his conviction [in 2008] and continue my association with him thereafter.
“I unequivocally apologize for doing this to the women and girls who suffered,” Mandelson said.
The Guardian reported that Starmer’s spokesperson told reporters in early February: “The Prime Minister believes Peter Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use the title.
“However, the Prime Minister does not have the power to remove him. He is calling on the Lords to work with the Government to modernize disciplinary procedures within the House, to enable easier removal of Lords who have brought the House into disrepute.”
Mandelson’s arrest came four days after British police arrested him. Mountbatten-Windsorbrother of King Charles IIIsuspected of misconduct in the exercise of a public function.
Mountbatten-Windsor was released later on Thursday.
Although the nature of the investigation into him has not been revealed, Thames Valley Police said they were assessing the reports he sent to Epstein. confidential business reports in 2010when he was Britain’s special envoy for international trade.
