A 72-year-old former government minister has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and taken to a London police station for interview, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday 23 February.
Peter Mandelson was detained at an address in Camden following search warrants executed at two properties in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”
The arrest comes days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office at Sandringham on his 66th birthday. While Andrew was held in custody, police combed his homes including his former Royal Lodge residence for 11 hours.
Mandelson faces accusations of leaking sensitive government intelligence to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Documents in the Epstein Files appear to show the former Cabinet Minister passing confidential information to the billionaire sex offender during his time in office.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart of the Metropolitan Police had previously confirmed: “I can confirm that officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area. The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.”
The arrest has intensified the political crisis facing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who appointed Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador last year. Starmer has insisted Mandelson “lied” to him about the “depth and darkness” of his relationship with Epstein.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told the Commons that Mandelson’s release from the US ambassador appointment is expected “very shortly in early March,” speaking before the arrest was made public. The timing suggests the government may act swiftly to address the diplomatic crisis.
Several rebel Labour MPs have broken cover to call directly for Starmer’s resignation over the furore, with mutinous MPs furious about the ambassador appointment. The scandal has thrown the Prime Minister’s leadership into freefall as questions mount about vetting processes and judgment.
The Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime team is conducting both the Mandelson and Andrew investigations, with the misconduct in public office allegations representing serious criminal matters. Experts suggest officers will examine any devices seized during the property searches, such as phones and laptops, for evidence.
The arrest follows the release of Epstein Files containing millions of pages documenting the sex offender’s connections to prominent figures. Both Mandelson and Andrew face scrutiny over their relationships with Epstein as detailed in the documents.
Mandelson’s detention for interview at a London police station means questioning will establish the extent of any information sharing with Epstein during his Cabinet tenure. The timeline of alleged confidential information passing to the sex offender will form a key element of the investigation.
The political ramifications for Starmer continue intensifying as the arrest confirms the seriousness of allegations against his appointed US Ambassador. The Prime Minister’s claim that Mandelson lied about the relationship’s extent has not satisfied critics who argue proper vetting should have prevented the appointment entirely.
Mandelson can be held for up to 24 hours without charge, with extensions possible up to 96 hours if magistrates approve. The interview process will determine whether evidence supports charging the former Cabinet Minister with misconduct in public office offences.
The investigation’s progression from property searches to arrest indicates detectives believe sufficient grounds exist to formally question Mandelson under caution. What evidence officers discovered during the Camden and Wiltshire searches remains undisclosed, though material seized will be examined alongside interview responses.
Further developments are expected as the interview concludes and the Crown Prosecution Service reviews evidence to determine whether charges should follow. The early March timeline Jones referenced for addressing Mandelson’s ambassador status may be accelerated given the arrest circumstances.
