London: A former British ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, was arrested by London police on Monday on suspicion of malfeasance related to his alleged connections with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison. Mr. Mandelson, aged 72, was previously dismissed from his prestigious diplomatic role in Britain last September when details of his association with Mr. Epstein began to emerge.
According to Thai News Agency, a criminal investigation was launched against Mr. Mandelson earlier this month after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government provided investigators with communications between the former ambassador and Mr. Epstein. The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed in a statement that officers had arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in office. It was later clarified that he had been released on bail pending further investigation. Footage captured Mr. Mandelson leaving his central London residence on the morning of the arrest, escorted by plainclothes officers to a waiting vehicle.
An arrest indicates that police suspect a crime may have been committed, but it does not imply that the individual is guilty of the charges. Mr. Mandelson's legal team has yet to issue a response or comment on the incident.
Emails between Mr. Mandelson and Mr. Epstein, released by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January, suggest a closer relationship than previously known. The correspondence reveals that Mr. Mandelson shared certain information with Mr. Epstein during his tenure as a secretary in former Prime Minister Gordon Brown's administration in 2009.
In recent developments, Mr. Mandelson resigned from Prime Minister Starmer's Labour Party and was removed from his position in the House of Lords this month. He has expressed regret over his involvement with Mr. Epstein but has not commented publicly or responded to any inquiries regarding the latest revelations. Additionally, his residences in London and western England were subjected to police searches earlier this month.