British police on Feb. 23 reportedly arrested Peter Mandelson, a former UK ambassador to the U.S., on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement published by the BBC that officers arrested a “72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office” and transported him to a London police station for questioning. Authorities did not publicly name the individual, in line with its standard practice, but the BBC and multiple other media outlets identified him as Mandelson.
According to the BBC, police opened a criminal investigation into Mandelson Feb. 3 after a series of emails between him and Epstein were released in January by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The messages reportedly suggest that while serving as business secretary from 2008 to 2010, Mandelson shared confidential and market-sensitive information with Epstein.
In a 2009 email, Mandelson appeared to confirm reports of a €500 billion financial bailout, writing to Epstein that an announcement would be made later that evening, CBS News reported.
In a separate 2010 exchange, Mandelson appeared to forward an internal government communication to Epstein and wrote: “Interesting note that's gone to the PM.” The memo reportedly contained a briefing to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown that outlined the UK’s economic challenges and recommended selling government-held assets to raise revenue.
The BBC reported that Mandelson was fired from his post as the UK ambassador in September 2025 after emails surfaced showing he continued his relationship with Epstein despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor. Mandelson has denied having any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein’s sexual crimes.
The arrest comes days after British authorities reportedly detained Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, on Feb. 19. The BBC previously reported that Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody after DOJ records indicated he allegedly shared confidential information with Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom’s special trade envoy. As Zeale News previously reported, authorities released him hours later and he has not yet been charged or exonerated.