Hours after being arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police say that Lord Mandelson has been released on bail.According to the force, a 72-year-old man was set free until additional investigation was conducted. At 2:00 GMT, Lord Mandelson was seen by the BBC returning to his home in London.On Monday, Lord Mandelson was transported to Wandsworth police station for an interview after being arrested at a residence in Camden, north London.Earlier this month, the force opened an inquiry into claims that Lord Mandelson had given the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein access to government information that was sensitive to the market while he was a government minister.
According to the police statement, the arrest on Monday came after search warrants were obtained at two locations in Wiltshire and Camden.Although Lord Mandelson has refrained from making any public remarks regarding the Epstein files in recent weeks, the BBC is aware of his stance that he has not committed any crimes and was not driven by greed.In February 2025, Lord Mandelson was appointed British ambassador to the United States. However, he was fired in September after Downing Street revealed fresh details regarding the extent of his relationship with Epstein."Early March" is when the government says it plans to reveal the first documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment.
The government's "intention is to disclose documents but we have to tread with some care in making sure that any documents we release don't jeopardize an ongoing police investigation," Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, stated on BBC Breakfast."There is a live investigation and when that happens it would be totally irresponsible to do anything that might put at risk their important work, but yes we are committed to transparency around all of this," she stated.
Officers in ordinary clothing were observed escorting Lord Mandelson from his London residence on Monday afternoon and placing him in the back of an unmarked vehicle.As far as the BBC is aware, police from the Met's central specialist crime branch made the arrest.The Crown Prosecution Service continues to consult with the police.Following the US Department of Justice's publication of a collection of documents last month, including emails between Lord Mandelson and Epstein, the accusations against him came to light.
According to a 2009 email, Lord Mandelson forwarded an adviser's evaluation of policy initiatives, including a "asset sales plan," to Gordon Brown, the prime minister at the time.On the day before it was announced in 2010, he also seemed to confirm an impending bailout plan for the Euro and talk about taxing bankers' bonuses.The late Virginia Giuffre's family, who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual assault, responded to Lord Mandelson's arrest by saying they "commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand". In his relationships with Epstein, Andrew has continuously denied any misconduct.
Sky and Amanda Roberts released the following statement: "There is no denying the contrast with the ongoing inaction in the United States. No matter who is involved, survivors deserve openness, prompt inquiry, and true justice."According to BBC News, the government and police will continue to discuss which records can be made public, despite earlier suggestions that an arrest might affect that procedure.In an attempt to support Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's allegation that Lord Mandelson "lied" during his screening process, the government is still seeking the ability to publish records.
"The defining moment of Sir Keir's premiership" was Lord Mandelson's incarceration, according to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch."Watching the man who he appointed to the highest position in our diplomatic service getting arrested by police is an image which I think is going to stay with us for many, many years to come," Badenoch continued after calling the prime minister "weak."
As part of a congressional probe into Epstein, US officials have urged Lord Mandelson to respond to inquiries.He joined Labour in the 1980s and was instrumental in the New Labour movement and the overwhelming electoral victory of Sir Tony Blair in 1997.
