Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the U.S., was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday amid an investigation sparked by the release of the Epstein files.
The big picture: Mandelson is one of several prominent figures whose careers have been derailed amid the global reckoning for those tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- Mandelson was removed from his post last September by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the release of Epstein's so-called "birthday book," in which Mandelson called him his "best pal."
State of play: A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that officers arrested "a 72-year-old man," who was taken to a London police station to be interviewed.
- Police did not name the suspect, as is customary, but they had previously announced a probe into a 72-year-old "former Government Minister" whom authorities received several reports on, including a referral from the U.K. government.
- He was "released on bail pending further investigation" following his arrest "on suspicion of misconduct in public office," per a police statement early Tuesday local time.
- It comes days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the scandal-plagued ex-prince, was arrested, also on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Friction point: Starmer has faced intense scrutiny for appointing Mandelson after the now-public Epstein-related documents shed new light on the former House of Lords member's ties to the disgraced financier.
- Aside from friendly — and at times, crude — conversations, the two men appeared to exchange messages about government and economic data.
- The BBC also reported that one image of Mandelson in the files appears to show him standing in his underwear next to a woman whose face was redacted.
- The U.K. government agreed it would release documents relating to Mandelson's appointment amid the fallout.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.
