UK government finalises framework for releasing Mandelson vetting files

The UK government has reached an agreement with police on a framework outlining which documents related to the 2024 appointment of former ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson can be released, the committee overseeing the disclosures said.

Mandelson, 72, was freed after being arrested by London's Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations about his connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The controversy surrounding Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein has triggered a political storm in Britain, with calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign. Starmer removed Mandelson from what is considered the most prestigious diplomatic posting in September, after the extent of his friendship with Epstein became clear.

Material regarding Mandelson’s vetting and appointment is being gathered by the Cabinet Office from across government, and the Intelligence and Security Committee expects to publish some of it soon. The committee stressed that the final decision on which documents are made public rests with them, not Starmer’s office or any other government entity.

"With that fundamental point now agreed, the committee now expects officials to revert to the committee on the practicalities around how documents will be referred to the committee and to inform the committee as to when we can expect to receive the first tranche of documents and how many there will be," the committee said.

A government spokesperson added, "We are proceeding at pace to publish the first tranche of documents in early March," and confirmed ongoing close collaboration with the committee on several requests.

The European Union’s anti-fraud office, OLAF, said it is reviewing Mandelson’s conduct during his tenure as British commissioner for trade in Brussels from 2004 to 2008, following a request from the European Commission. OLAF emphasised that the review does not indicate a formal investigation has been opened and respects the presumption of innocence.

Mandelson’s lawyers have not yet responded to requests for comment. His arrest signals police suspicion that a crime may have occurred, but it does not imply guilt. Earlier this month, police searched his London and western England homes.

Emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January revealed Mandelson and Epstein had a closer relationship than previously known. The documents suggest Mandelson shared information with Epstein while serving as a minister under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.

Mandelson, a pivotal figure in the Labour Party’s rise under Tony Blair, has expressed deep regret over his association with Epstein but has not publicly commented on the latest revelations. After his arrest, his lawyers said his apprehension stemmed from a "baseless suggestion" that he intended to leave the country and settle abroad.

In a separate case, King Charles’ younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was recently arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he sent confidential government documents to Epstein. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev