Key Points
- Metropolitan Police searched two properties linked to Lord Peter Mandelson, aged 72: one in Wiltshire and one near Camden in north London, as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.
- The probe launched on Tuesday following US Department of Justice documents alleging Mandelson shared market-sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008-2010, including Treasury plans for a one-off tax on bankers’ bonuses and advance notice of a €500bn EU bailout.
- Emails show Mandelson discussing the bonus tax with Epstein; Epstein referenced “Jamie” (likely Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan) calling Chancellor Alistair Darling, with Mandelson suggesting to “mildly threaten” him.
- Bank statements indicate three $25,000 payments ($75,000 total) from Epstein’s JP Morgan accounts to accounts linked to Mandelson or his then-partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva between 2003-2004.
- Lord Mandelson has not been arrested; enquiries ongoing. He denies criminality, states no financial motivation, regrets association with Epstein, and apologised “unequivocally to the women and the girls who suffered”.
- Searches: Officers seen at Camden property with Mandelson present, searching a car and removing boxes; Wiltshire entry without force, searching outhouses with archive boxes.
- UK Government offers support to police; offence carries life max sentence, rarely over 10 years.
- Downing Street to release up to 100,000 documents on Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment amid Labour rebellion; PM Sir Keir Starmer warned of “very significant volume” in letter to Intelligence and Security Committee, some withheld for security/police reasons.
- Starmer apologised to Epstein’s victims, saying “sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies”.
- Gordon Brown “greatly regrets” appointing Mandelson, takes “personal responsibility”, expresses “revulsion” at Epstein’s influence.
- Labour MPs furious: Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) called Starmer’s handling “appallingly”, suggests resignation; Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth) cited “incredible misjudgement”; Simon Opher (Stroud) wants chief of staff Morgan McSweeney gone.
- Others: Rachael Maskell (York Central) called resignation “inevitable”; Andy McDonald noted “widespread revulsion”; Rebecca Long-Bailey “catastrophic misjudgment”.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called Starmer’s position “untenable”, demands no-confidence vote.
- Mandelson quit Labour Party on Sunday, retired from House of Lords three days later to avoid “further embarrassment”.
North London, UK (North London News) February 7, 2026 – Police have searched two properties linked to former Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson in Wiltshire and near Camden amid allegations he leaked sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Metropolitan Police confirmed today.
- Key Points
- What Triggered the Police Searches on Mandelson’s Properties?
- Which Epstein Documents Led to Allegations Against Mandelson?
- How Has Lord Mandelson Responded to the Investigation?
- What Is Misconduct in Public Office and Potential Penalties?
- Why Is the UK Government Releasing Documents on Mandelson’s Appointment?
- What Apologies Has Sir Keir Starmer Issued Over Mandelson?
- What Does Gordon Brown Say About Appointing Mandelson?
- How Are Labour MPs Reacting to the Mandelson Scandal?
- What Is Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch’s Stance?
- What Broader Political Fallout Has Occurred?
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart of the Metropolitan Police stated that officers from the Central Crime team executed search warrants at the sites, one in Wiltshire and the other in Camden, pertaining to an ongoing inquiry into misconduct in public office involving a 72-year-old man.
The force launched the investigation on Tuesday after US Department of Justice documents suggested Mandelson, then business secretary under Gordon Brown, passed market-sensitive details to Epstein in 2008. Lord Mandelson has not been arrested, and enquiries continue, with a government spokesperson affirming full support for the police.
What Triggered the Police Searches on Mandelson’s Properties?
As reported by BBC News journalists, officers were observed at Mandelson’s address near Camden, north London, where the 72-year-old was present during the search. Witnesses saw police briefly searching a car outside before re-entering and leaving with several boxes, according to BBC understanding. At the Wiltshire property, Mandelson arranged non-forced entry; officers carried unfolded archive boxes and inspected outhouses.
NBC News detailed that the searches occurred on Friday, aligning with protocols not naming the individual publicly, but linking to Mandelson’s known residences. Sky News confirmed boxes were seen being removed from the Camden and Wiltshire sites. No arrests were made, emphasising the inquiry’s early stage.
Which Epstein Documents Led to Allegations Against Mandelson?
US Department of Justice releases included 2008 emails where Mandelson, as business secretary, discussed Treasury’s one-off tax on bankers’ bonuses with Epstein. Two days later, Epstein emailed asking if “Jamie” – apparently Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan CEO – should call Chancellor Alistair Darling “one more time”; Mandelson replied affirmatively, suggesting he “mildly threaten” Darling.
Al Jazeera reported emails implying Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of a €500bn EU bailout to save the Euro, with Darling present in Brussels; UK did not contribute. An early 2010 email from Mandelson to Epstein stated:
“Sources inform me that a €500 billion bailout is nearly complete,”
preceding the announcement. Euronews noted unease over Epstein’s access to UK/EU policy insights.
Financial Times, as cited in BBC, revealed bank statements showing three $25,000 payments ($75,000 total) from Epstein’s JP Morgan accounts referencing Mandelson, to a Barclays account linked to his then-partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2003-2004. Mandelson claims no record or recollection of the sums and questions document authenticity.
How Has Lord Mandelson Responded to the Investigation?
Lord Mandelson has not responded to comment requests but maintains he acted without criminality or financial gain, per BBC sources. He previously expressed regret for associating with Epstein post-conviction, apologising
In his Labour resignation letter to general secretary Hollie Ridley, reported by ITV News, Mandelson wrote:
“I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this… I regret ever having known Epstein. I was wrong to believe Epstein and swallow his lies following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I deeply regret doing so and apologise unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered.”
A Labour spokesperson noted disciplinary action was underway pre-resignation.
On Sunday, Mandelson quit the Labour Party; three days later, he retired from the House of Lords.
What Is Misconduct in Public Office and Potential Penalties?
The offence, often for public servants like ministers, carries a maximum life sentence but rarely exceeds 10 years, according to the Law Commission. PBS NewsHour reiterated its application to Mandelson’s alleged leaks during his ministerial role.
Why Is the UK Government Releasing Documents on Mandelson’s Appointment?
Facing Labour MP rebellion, Downing Street promised documents on Mandelson’s December 2024 US ambassador appointment, potentially 100,000 electronic communications.
PM Sir Keir Starmer, in a Friday letter to Intelligence and Security Committee chairman Lord Beamish, warned of a “very significant volume of material” needing review, prioritising Parliament access “as soon as possible” while withholding some for national security and police needs.
The Independent reported Starmer insisting on “urgency and transparency”; ISC demands rationale for withholdings. ABC News noted the role was revoked in September 2025 after Epstein ties emerged.
What Apologies Has Sir Keir Starmer Issued Over Mandelson?
Sir Keir Starmer apologised to Epstein’s victims: “sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies”, stating he was unaware of the relationship’s “full extent and sinister nature”. In a speech, he prioritised victims, calling Epstein a “despicable criminal”.
What Does Gordon Brown Say About Appointing Mandelson?
As reported by The Guardian’s Gordon Brown article, the former PM “greatly regrets” Mandelson’s appointment, taking “personal responsibility” as he was told of an “unblemished” record with “no reports of a relationship with anyone named Epstein”. Brown wrote:
“As I digest the details of what has emerged, I also find it hard to find words to express my revulsion at what has been uncovered about Epstein and his impact on our politics… He appears to have exploited sensitive market information to undermine the principles he professed to uphold.”
How Are Labour MPs Reacting to the Mandelson Scandal?
Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson told BBC Radio Merseyside Sir Keir handled it “appallingly” and should “consider resigning”. Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman told BBC:
“Sir Keir had ‘shown an incredible misjudgement in appointing Lord Mandelson and it goes beyond saying sorry’. ‘Has his judgment been good enough for that office? I think the answer is a categorical no’.”
Stroud MP Simon Opher said Starmer “needs to change his advisers in Number 10″, targeting chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. York Central MP Rachael Maskell told BBC resignation is “inevitable”, noting chamber astonishment at Starmer’s prior knowledge. Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey called it a “catastrophic misjudgment”; Andy McDonald cited “widespread revulsion” in Labour.
Some back Starmer: Steve Reed and Karl Turner blame advisors.
What Is Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch’s Stance?
Kemi Badenoch declared Sir Keir’s position “untenable”, calling for a no-confidence vote and inviting Labour MPs to join, stating “Britain is not being governed” properly. She previously questioned Starmer’s confidence in Mandelson at PMQs.
What Broader Political Fallout Has Occurred?
Mandelson’s ambassadorship was fired in September 2025 over emails; Al Jazeera noted a 2010 email where he wrote to Epstein: “Finally got him to go today” (re: Brown resignation). Labour faces internal strain, Conservatives push inquiry.
