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Former UK Ambassador Mandelson is released following arrest for Epstein revelations

Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to America, was released on Tuesday from police custody after being arrested at London's Metropolitan Police Department for suspicion of misconduct in office. This followed revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Mandelson, 72 years old, was 'fired' from the most prestigious post in Britain’s diplomatic service in September when it became clear how close he had become to the convicted sex offender.

The police began an investigation of Mandelson earlier this month after the government of Keirstarmer passed along communications between Epstein and the former ambassador.

In a statement about an investigation involving a former minister, London's Metropolitan Police stated that officers had arrested a man aged 72 on suspicion of misconduct.

Mandelson was captured leaving his central London house on Monday afternoon. He was driven away by a car accompanied by plainclothes police officers wearing bodycams.

In a separate statement, it was stated that he'd been released on bail pending a further investigation. He was seen returning to his home around 2200 GMT.

An arrest is a sign that police suspects a crime was committed, but it does not mean guilt.

Mishcon De Reya, a law firm representing Mandelson, said that the arrest of Mandelson was due to a "baseless rumor" that he planned to leave and move abroad.

The report said Mandelson had been arrested despite a police agreement that he would attend an?unpaid interview next month and that the authorities were required to provide evidence justifying the arrest.

Emails show MANDELSON and EPSTEIN are closer than thought

The U.S. Department of Justice released emails between Mandelson, Epstein and others in late January. They showed that the two men were closer than was previously known. Mandelson also shared information with Epstein when he served as a minister under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.

Mandelson has said that he regrets his association with Epstein. He resigned this month from Starmer's Labour Party, and quit his post in the upper chamber of parliament. He hasn't commented publicly on the new revelations or replied to any messages asking for comment.

Police searched Mandelson's residences in London and West England earlier this month.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, was arrested last week on suspicions of misconduct in office. This is based on allegations that he had sent Epstein confidential documents from government. He has always denied all wrongdoing.

STARMER IS UNDER PRESSURE ABOUT VETTING BEFORE ASSESSMENT

A conviction for misconduct by a public official carries a maximum life sentence and must be handled in the Crown Court which deals only with serious criminal offenses.

Mandelson's relationship to Epstein is at the heart of a British scandal that forced two high-ranking government officials to resign. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting a trial on sex charges.

Starmer, who has been called to resign over Mandelson’s appointment, is now under scrutiny again after the parliament demanded that documents related to his vetting be released. On Monday, a minister said that the documents would be released in early March.

MANDELSON FORCED TWICE TO REIGN FROM CABINET

Mandelson's career in British politics has been turbulent and long.

He rose to prominence as one of Tony Blair's New Labour architects in the late 1990s.

Mandelson was forced twice to resign from the cabinet. First in 1998, for failing to disclose that he took a loan from a friend, and then in 2001, after accusations that he tried to influence an application for a passport.

He was appointed as a Minister in Brown's Labour Government from 2008 to 2010. In late 2024, he returned to public service when?Starmer appointed him Ambassador to the United States.

Some?supporters Starmer initially viewed his appointment as ambassador to United States as a clever move. He won an early victory when he made sure that Britain was the first nation to reach a deal to reduce some of Donald Trump's tariffs with the United States.

He was fired after a few weeks when documents revealed his close relationship with Epstein.

Starmer said Mandelson lied during the vetting procedure about his relationship with Epstein. (Reporting and editing by William James, Andrew Heavens, Daniel Wallis and Jon Boyle)

(source: Reuters)