Former UK Ambassador Mandelson Arrested

Former UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson was arrested Monday by Metropolitan Police as part of a criminal investigation linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Arrest Over Alleged Misconduct in Public Office

Police said a 72-year-old man was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with an investigation involving a former government minister. Authorities later confirmed he had been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Officers arrested Mandelson at an address in Camden, central London, on Monday, 23 February. He was taken to a London police station for questioning. Footage broadcast earlier in the day showed him leaving his residence accompanied by plainclothes officers wearing body cameras before being driven away in a vehicle.

Police emphasized that an arrest indicates suspicion of a potential offense but does not imply guilt. There was no immediate response from Mandelson’s legal representatives.

Emails Deepen Scrutiny of Epstein Ties

The arrest follows the release of emails by the U.S. Department of Justice in late January that revealed a closer relationship between Mandelson and Epstein than previously acknowledged.

The correspondence showed Mandelson had shared information with Epstein while serving as a minister in 2009 under then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The disclosures prompted heightened scrutiny in the United Kingdom.

Earlier this month, police searched Mandelson’s properties in London and western England as part of the ongoing investigation.

Political Fallout and Resignations

Mandelson, a senior figure in the Labour Party and a former close ally of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was dismissed from his diplomatic post in Washington in September after details of his friendship with Epstein began to emerge.

He subsequently resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from his seat in the House of Lords earlier this month.

Mandelson has previously stated that he “very deeply” regretted his association with Epstein but has not publicly commented on the latest developments.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine whether any criminal misconduct occurred during Mandelson’s time in public office.