Peter Mandelson Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office

Metropolitan Police arrested Lord Peter Mandelson, 72, at his home in Camden, north London, on Monday, February 23, 2026, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Officers also executed search warrants at two properties in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. Mandelson was taken to a London police station for interview and later released on bail.

The arrest follows weeks of revelations from the U.S. Department of Justice's release of over 3.5 million pages of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Those documents exposed a pattern of confidential government information flowing from Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein during the 2008-2010 financial crisis, while Mandelson served as Business Secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Leaked Emails

The specifics of the leaked correspondence are striking in their volume and the speed with which classified information moved.

On June 13, 2009, Nick Butler sent a memo to PM Gordon Brown proposing 20 billion pounds in "saleable assets" disposals. Mandelson forwarded it to Epstein's personal email (jeevacation@gmail.com), writing: "Interesting note that's gone to the PM." Epstein responded within two hours asking "what salable assets?"

On August 2, 2009, Shriti Vadera sent a confidential memo to Number 10 regarding bank lending strategy. Jeremy Heywood, the PM's principal private secretary, replied with analysis of non-bank lending and securitization markets. That email was forwarded to Epstein within four seconds of Heywood's reply.

In December 2009, Mandelson wrote to Epstein about a planned tax on bankers' bonuses: "Trying hard to amend... Treasury digging in but I am on case." A related communication suggested that JPMorgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon should "mildly threaten" Chancellor Alistair Darling over the bonus tax.

On January 28-29, 2010, emails between JPMorgan's Jes Staley and Mandelson, routed through Epstein, discussed JPMorgan's purchase of the RBS Sempra commodities business. The deal was publicly announced on February 16, three weeks later.

In March 2010, Epstein asked Mandelson to lobby Larry Summers about the proposed Volcker Rule. Mandelson forwarded a detailed readout of his meeting with Summers to Epstein within five minutes of receiving it.

On May 9, 2010, Epstein wrote about a "500 b euro bailout." Mandelson replied: "Sd be announced tonight." The EU announced the 500 billion euro bailout package that same day, before the information was public.

The Relationship

Documents show the relationship extended well beyond the financial crisis. In 2003, Mandelson contributed to Epstein's 50th birthday book, calling him "my best pal." Financial records from the House Oversight Committee show Epstein paid for two commercial flights for Mandelson in April 2003, totaling more than $7,400.

Between 2003 and 2004, Epstein made three payments totaling $75,000 to accounts linked to Mandelson or his partner. Between 2009 and 2010, Epstein put Mandelson's partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, on a monthly stipend of $4,000 sent directly to his personal bank account.

Mandelson flew on Epstein's private jet on at least one occasion and was photographed with Epstein on Little Saint James, Epstein's private island, in an image that resurfaced in 2024 court documents.

Political Fallout

The consequences have unfolded rapidly. PM Keir Starmer fired Mandelson from the Washington ambassadorship in September 2025 after the birthday book and post-conviction emails were published. Starmer said Mandelson had "lied repeatedly" about the extent of his past contact with Epstein.

In early February 2026, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party, then resigned from the House of Lords.

Mandelson's arrest came four days after Prince Andrew's arrest on February 19 on the same charge, making them the two highest-profile British figures to face criminal consequences from the Epstein files. Mandelson has denied all wrongdoing. He said he "very deeply" regretted his association with Epstein.

Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the United Kingdom.

The Epstein Exposed database links Mandelson to 6,967 documents across multiple DOJ and court releases.