The Metropolitan Police has opened a criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a 72‑year‑old former government minister following the further release of Epstein‑related court documents in the United States. In a statement, Commander Ella Marriott confirmed the probe and said the force would not comment further while enquiries continue. Multiple outlets have identified the subject as Lord Peter Mandelson. (news.met.police.uk)
Downing Street has referred material to the Met after an initial government review concluded the disclosed emails likely contained market‑sensitive information from the period around the 2008 financial crisis. Officials said handling safeguards appeared to have been compromised and that the police should assess potential criminality. (marketscreener.com)
The released correspondence, reported by UK media as originating from Mandelson’s time as business secretary, appears to show confidential updates being forwarded to Jeffrey Epstein on matters including government asset sales and policy on bank bonuses; other messages discussed high‑level European financial measures and suggested approaches to UK ministers. (theguardian.com)
Mandelson resigned his Labour Party membership on 1 February 2026, apologising to Epstein’s victims, and will cease to be a member of the House of Lords from Wednesday 4 February 2026; he retains his life peerage unless removed by legislation. He was dismissed as UK ambassador to the United States in September 2025 after emails emerged indicating deeper contact with Epstein than acknowledged at the point of appointment. (itv.com)
Misconduct in public office is a common‑law offence reserved for serious, deliberate abuse of a public role and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Prosecutors must show a public officer, acting as such, wilfully misconducted themselves in a way that amounts to an abuse of the public’s trust, without reasonable excuse. (cps.gov.uk)
The government has instructed officials to draft legislation enabling the removal of Mandelson’s peerage “as quickly as possible”. In UK law, removing a peerage requires an Act of Parliament; the last time Parliament legislated to strip titles was the First World War‑era Titles Deprivation Act 1917, which does not provide a general power for present cases. A new Removal of Peerages Bill has been tabled as a Private Member’s Bill, with second reading scheduled for 13 March 2026. (marketscreener.com)
Mandelson’s 2024 appointment as ambassador is now under renewed scrutiny. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told Parliament last year that national security vetting began only after the appointment was announced, with the Cabinet Office having undertaken pre‑announcement propriety and ethics checks. Developed Vetting typically involves detailed financial, records and security‑service checks under Cabinet Office policy. (committees.parliament.uk)
The Conservative Party will today seek a Commons ‘humble address’ requiring ministers to lay all appointment‑related papers before the House, including due‑diligence material and security‑vetting submissions. No 10 has proposed an amendment to exclude papers prejudicial to national security or international relations. A humble address, if passed, is treated as binding on ministers to provide the specified papers. (commonsbusiness.parliament.uk)
What happens next will turn on three tracks. First, the Met’s investigation will proceed without further comment from the force until there are material developments. Second, the Commons may vote on the humble address motion, which-if agreed-will compel disclosure subject to any agreed carve‑outs. Third, ministers have signalled intent to bring forward peerage‑removal proposals while a separate Private Member’s Bill awaits its 13 March second reading. (news.met.police.uk)