Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday, February 23, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to London’s Metropolitan Police. Mandelson, 72, was arrested at an address in Camden and taken to a London police station for interview. The arrest followed search warrants executed at two addresses in Camden and Wiltshire. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest, stating it was related to allegations of misconduct in public office. According to The WP Times, citing CNN.

Connection to Jeffrey Epstein

Mandelson, a veteran Labour Party politician, is accused of passing market-sensitive information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as business secretary in the UK government. Previously released Epstein files revealed a handwritten note from Mandelson calling Epstein “my best pal” for his 50th birthday. These revelations led to Mandelson resigning from the Labour Party and the House of Lords earlier in February. He had previously been dismissed from his ambassador role in September 2025 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer following Epstein file disclosures.

Political Fallout

The arrest has generated significant political controversy. Key advisers to Prime Minister Keir Starmer have resigned, and senior Labour Party figures have questioned the Prime Minister’s knowledge of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein when appointing him as ambassador. Some correspondence regarding Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment will be delayed due to ongoing police investigations, according to Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Mandelson’s Political Career

Peter Mandelson has been a prominent figure in UK politics for decades. He served as the Labour Party’s director of communications in the 1980s and played a key role in shaping “New Labour,” which won a landslide election in 1997 under Tony Blair. Mandelson later served as business secretary and as UK ambassador to the United States. He is widely known as the “Prince of Darkness” for his political strategy and influence.

Misconduct in Public Office

The offense of misconduct in public office is defined under English law as a serious, willful abuse or neglect of the responsibilities of a public office. For prosecution, the person must be a public officer, the misconduct must relate directly to their duties, and the act must be deliberate or committed with reckless indifference without reasonable excuse.

Related Arrests

Mandelson’s arrest follows the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, on similar charges of misconduct in public office. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday and released under investigation after a 10-hour police interview. Authorities are assessing whether he shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy.

The first tranche of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador is expected to be released in early March. The investigation is ongoing, and no formal charges have been filed against Mandelson at this stage.

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