PETER Mandelson has been arrested amid a police probe into misconduct in public office.
It comes after renewed scrutiny of the former Labour minister following revelations about his extensive links to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, whom Mandelson described as one of his best friends even after he was convicted for soliciting sex from a child.
Files published by the US Department of Justice in late January suggested that Mandelson had sent Epstein sensitive government information, including about Gordon Brown resigning as prime minister, about a deal to bail out the Euro, about secret UK government plans to sell off assets, and about a tax on bankers’ bonuses. He has denied any “wrongdoing or misdemeanour”.
The Metropolitan Police force confirmed Mandelson's arrest after media outside the Labour grandee's house captured images of him being led into a car by plain-clothes officers a little before 5pm on Monday afternoon.
Officers also searched two properties, in Wiltshire and Campden, ahead of the arrest.
A Metropolitan Police statement was issued under the title "Update on investigation into misconduct in public office offences relating to a former Government Minister".
A force spokesperson said: "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, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.
"This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”
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The arrest took place around an hour after MPs were told that a first tranche of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador is expected to be released “very shortly in early March”.
However, the publication of some correspondence between Downing Street and the peer will be delayed “because of the Metropolitan Police interest”, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said.
Mandelson's arrest means the case is "active" under the Contempt of Court Act, meaning the press and public must limit what is said or reported to avoid prejudicing any fair trial.
Keir Starmer faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Mandelson to the position of US ambassador despite his links to paedophile Epstein, which were known at the time. Starmer has accused Mandelson of lying during the vetting process about the extent of those ties.
Morgan McSweeney resigned as Downing Street chief of staff over his own role in Mandelson's appointment.
For his part, Mandelson has withdrawn from the House of Lords, and the UK Government has said it will work on bringing legislation to remove his title in the near future.
The news comes four days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, was also arrested on allegations of misconduct in public office. He was released under investigation after 11 hours of questioning.
Mandelson and Andrew have both denied any suggestion of wrongdoing.
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