Former Labour cabinet minister Peter Mandelson has been arrested by police at his London home as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public
office. The Metropolitan Police said a 72-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday afternoon following the execution of search warrants at two properties in London and Wiltshire. He was later transported to a London police station for questioning.
Detectives arrived at Lord Mandelson’s Regent’s Park address shortly after 4.15pm in two unmarked vehicles. After spending around half an hour inside the property, officers were seen escorting him into a police car.
In a statement, Scotland Yard confirmed: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”
The arrest comes roughly two weeks after officers first searched homes linked to Lord Mandelson. He has kept a relatively low public profile since the release of a second tranche of files connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, though he was recently seen at both properties.
Those documents have highlighted exchanges between Lord Mandelson and Epstein dating back to Mandelson’s time in government. Police sources have stressed that the investigation is focused on allegations of misconduct in public office, not on the content of the messages themselves.
Earlier this month, officers were seen entering Mandelson’s Regent’s Park property, which he bought in 2011. During that search, police were observed removing items from the house, including a box and a large bag.
The case has emerged against the backdrop of a wider inquiry involving other high-profile figures. Last week, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released without charge after questioning. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Investigators are examining claims that Lord Mandelson may have shared market-sensitive information with Epstein while serving as business secretary in the government of Gordon Brown during the financial crisis. Police have cautioned that the inquiry is complex and likely to take time.
Lord Mandelson has consistently denied breaking the law or acting for personal gain. While he has said he regrets his association with Epstein, he maintains that he did not misuse his position in public office. Photo by World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland, Wikimedia commons.