Ex-Labour minister and UK envoy arrested over Epstein files fallout

Former British Ambassador to the United States, Lord Peter Mandelson, has been detained in London, The Times reports.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police attended Mandelson’s home in Regent’s Park, northwest London, on the afternoon of February 23. The 72-year-old Labour peer was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a charge he has denied.

Photographs from the scene showed a plainclothes officer leading Mandelson out of the property and placing him in the back of an unmarked police car. Three officers accompanied him to a London police station for questioning.

Earlier this month, police had already searched Mandelson’s London residence as well as an address in Wiltshire. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed:

“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, February 23, and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”

Mandelson’s arrest comes just four days after British former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was also detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office; he has similarly denied wrongdoing.

The Metropolitan Police had confirmed three weeks ago that they were investigating Mandelson, following renewed scrutiny triggered by the release of additional Epstein files. These documents exposed the full extent of Mandelson’s and Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to the convicted sex offender, sparking a political uproar in the UK.

Mandelson had previously downplayed his connection to Epstein, claiming the financier was only a peripheral figure in his life. However, emails released in the U.S. suggest that the two maintained a close friendship.

Despite these links, Mandelson was appointed UK Ambassador to Washington by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024. Starmer’s government had been warned by senior Labour Party figures about Mandelson’s Epstein connections at the time. The ambassadorial role lasted less than a year: he was dismissed in September 2025 after the first batch of Epstein files revealed the depth of his ties to the sex offender.

Starmer had been advised to appoint Mandelson by his Cork-born chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who also resigned this month over the controversy. The prime minister has faced political pressure for the appointment, alleging that Mandelson misled officials about the extent of his Epstein links during the ambassadorial vetting process.

The government has agreed to release all communications it held with Mandelson after his ambassadorial appointment, except for messages deemed sensitive to national security by a parliamentary committee. Darren Jones, a UK government cabinet member, told the House of Commons on Monday that the first batch of these so-called "Mandelson Files" will be published early next month.

Under UK law, Mandelson can be held for up to 24 hours following his arrest, though this can be extended to 96 hours with magistrate's approval.

By Tamilla Hasanova