After Andrew, UK Ex-Envoy Arrested On ‘Suspicion Of Misconduct’ Amid Epstein Files Probe

After Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested, U.K. police have taken another high-profile figure into custody in connection with the Epstein Files. On February 23, Peter Mandelson, former British Ambassador to the United States, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police.

Mandelson, 72, is facing allegations of misconduct in public office, similar to those brought against Mountbatten-Windsor. He was questioned for hours before being released on bail late at night. Police are continuing to investigate the case.

Mandelson is known to have a years-long friendship with the late convicted child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. He called the financier his ‘best pal’ and remained in contact with him even after Epstein was convicted of s– offenses in 2008.

Despite his association with Epstein, Mandelson had a successful political career and was appointed British Ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January 2025. After reports emerged about Mandelson’s deeper ties to Epstein, he was removed from his position in September 2025.

On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released around 3 million documents as part of the Epstein Files, including emails between Mandelson and Epstein. According to the emails, Mandelson allegedly leaked sensitive market information to Epstein in 2009 while serving as business secretary in former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Cabinet.

The information included a confidential memo regarding 20 billion pounds (around $27.4 billion) in government asset sales. The files also revealed Epstein transferred about $75,000 to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004 and sent thousands of pounds to his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2009.

Based on these allegations, Metropolitan Police issued two search warrants for Mandelson and arrested him in Camden, north London, on February 23. A police spokesperson released a statement that read, “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 statement read.

Mandelson has not released a public statement about his arrest, but the former Labour Party member has maintained he was unaware of Epstein’s wrongdoing. He has also claimed that since he is a gay man, he was kept away from the financier’s crimes.

The revelation of his connection to Epstein has caused a storm in U.K. politics, and people are demanding answers from Starmer over Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador. The government said it will release thousands of documents about the appointment in March 2026 to ensure transparency about the vetting process.

Meanwhile, Epstein’s victims have welcomed the U.K. authorities’ swift action against the people named in the files. Following Mandelson’s arrest, the family of the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre said, “[We] commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand.”