February 4, 2026 | 02:27 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Tuesday, British authorities launched a criminal investigation into former Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson amid allegations that he shared confidential information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The announcement came just hours after Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords, effectively ending his decades-long political career, The New Arab reported.
"I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offence," said Commander Ella Marriott of the London-based force.
Mandelson, once a prominent and often controversial figure in British politics, known as the "Prince of Darkness", joins a growing list of politicians and public figures linked to Epstein.
The former minister and ex-European Union commissioner officially stepped down from the House of Lords on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, according to Chairman Michael Forsyth.
Emails and Financial Links
Documents released last week by the U.S. Department of Justice included emails between Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, and high-profile figures. The emails showed warm relations, financial transactions, and personal photographs.
One 2009 email, sent while Mandelson was Business Secretary, reportedly shared an economic report with Epstein intended for then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with the note: "Interesting note that's gone to the PM."
Epstein had already been a convicted sex offender at the time. The email was addressed to “Gordon,” raising concerns over the unauthorized circulation of sensitive government material during a major economic crisis, Politico reported.
Former Prime Minister Brown said Monday that he had instructed Britain’s top civil servants "to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market sensitive information from the then Business Department during the global financial crisis."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Monday evening that they are reviewing reports related to alleged breaches of public office. Commander Marriott said: "We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice."
"Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation," she added.
Further emails reportedly show Epstein, released from jail in 2009 after serving an 18-month sentence for sexually abusing a minor, contacting Mandelson in May 2010 about a 500 billion euro currency bailout. Mandelson allegedly replied: "Sd be announced tonight," according to Al Jazeera.
Epstein is also reported to have transferred a total of US$75,000 in three payments between 2003 and 2004 to an account linked to Mandelson or his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. Mandelson has said he does not recall the transactions and will examine the documents.
Among newly released files, a photograph of Mandelson wearing only a T-shirt and underwear while speaking with a woman was uncovered, intensifying scrutiny.
Read: Bill and Hillary Clinton Agree to Testify in Epstein Probe
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