Peter Mandelson has been arrested by detectives investigating allegations of misconduct in public office connected to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Video footage showed the former Labour grandee being escorted from his home and driven away in an unmarked vehicle shortly afterwards.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying: “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.”
Detectives are examining claims that Mandelson leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to Epstein.
A police investigation was launched following the release of files linked to Epstein. In February, officers executed search warrants at two properties associated with Mandelson in London and Wiltshire.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart previously confirmed: “The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.”
She added: “This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence-gathering and analysis. It will take some time to do this work comprehensively.”
Mandelson, 72, is understood to believe he has committed no offence.
The arrest has intensified scrutiny of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his decision to appoint Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States in December 2024.
Sir Keir acknowledged that he was aware — as widely reported — that Mandelson and Epstein had remained in contact after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child sex offences.
Mandelson, grandson of former Labour home and foreign secretary Herbert Morrison, has been a prominent figure in the Labour Party for more than five decades. An early ally of Tony Blair, he played a central role in shaping New Labour and oversaw the party’s landslide victory in the 1997 general election before holding several senior government posts.
Following renewed controversy over his links to Epstein, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and stepped down from the House of Lords.
The Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing.
