- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Epstein Files Fallout: Former British Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office. Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the US, has been arrested by London police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, 72, was dismissed from his prestigious diplomatic position in September after the extent of his friendship with Epstein became clear, according to Reuters.
Former British Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson ( Reuters )
Earlier this month, police launched a criminal investigation into Mandelson after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government handed over communications between the former ambassador and Epstein. "Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement regarding an investigation into a former government minister.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein on Feb 6, admitting he had been misled by Peter Mandelson when appointing him as UK Ambassador to the United States. Starmer expressed regret over the decision, saying that Mandelson had created a "litany of deceit" regarding his connections to the convicted US sex offender.
In his statement, the Prime Minister revealed that Mandelson had "portrayed Epstein as someone he barely knew." He continued, "I am sorry... for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him."
Starmer dismissed Mandelson from his position in September after emails surfaced showing the former Labour peer had maintained a friendship with Epstein, even after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offences involving a minor.
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Emails between Mandelson and Epstein, made public by the US Department of Justice in late January, exposed a deeper connection between the two than was previously disclosed. Mandelson shared information with Epstein while serving as a minister in Gordon Brown's government.
Mandelson, who stepped down from Starmer's Labour Party and resigned from his seat in the House of Lords earlier this month, has previously stated that he deeply regrets his past ties to Epstein. However, he has not commented on or addressed requests for statements about the recent developments.
Last week, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following claims that he had sent confidential government documents to Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any involvement or wrongdoing related to Epstein.