London’s Metropolitan Police arrested former British minister and former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson on Monday for “suspected misconduct in public office” due to his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“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 23 February and has been taken to a London Police station for questioning,” a police spokesperson said in a brief statement.
Three payments of $25,000
His arrest occurred after evidencing ties with the pedophile by verifying that among the millions of files released by the United States Department of Justice, three payments to Mandelson of $25,000 (just over 21,000 euros) appeared sent between 2003 and 2004 from the billionaire’s bank accounts at the JP Morgan bank.
In the emails that emerge from the published files, a closer relationship than expected between Mandelson and Epstein is evident. The former Labor member, who this month left his position in the House of Lords, had acknowledged that he “very deeply” regretted his relationship with Epstein. However, for now he has not made public statements about the latest revelations, notes the Reuters agency.
Political scandal in the United Kingdom
Prior to his arrest, British authorities searched Mandelson’s homes in London and the west of England earlier this month. The former minister’s arrest comes just four days after the arrest of former Prince Andrew, who was also detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office, although he has always denied any wrongdoing.
Regarding the reasons for the arrest, British regulations state that a conviction for misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. According to Reuters, this must be tried in a Crown Court, which deals with the most serious criminal offences.
Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, has created a scandal in British politics by forcing the resignation of two senior government officials. As a result, Minister Keir Starmer faces calls to resign over the former Labour’s appointment.
