Police Raid Mandelson’s Camden & Wiltshire Homes in Epstein Probe

Key Points

• Police from the Metropolitan Police’s central specialist crime team searched two properties owned by Peter Mandelson: one in Camden, north London, and another in Wiltshire.
• The searches occurred on Friday evening, with boxes seen being carried from the Camden property and police cars parked in the driveway of the Wiltshire house.
• Plain-clothed officers used torches to briefly search a Range Rover parked outside the London address.
• The operation relates to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences involving a 72-year-old man, who has not been arrested.
• Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Hayley Sewart confirmed the searches in a statement, noting enquiries are ongoing.
• The probe follows the latest release of files about paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, revealing details of Mandelson’s relationship with him.
• Files appear to show Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary after the 2008 financial crisis.
• Lord Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing, stating he regrets maintaining the relationship and has apologised to Epstein’s victims.
• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces pressure to release documents on Mandelson’s vetting for the UK ambassador to the US role, from which he was sacked in September.
• Sir Keir has accused Mandelson of lying about the depth of his friendship with Epstein ahead of the Washington job.
• In a letter to the chair of parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), Sir Keir requested swift document release but noted a “very significant volume of material” requires review.
• Sir Keir instructed the cabinet secretary to collaborate with the ISC on handling material prejudicial to UK national security and international relations.
• Downing Street told journalists the documents would be published “shortly”, while coordinating with police to avoid undermining the investigation.
• Officials are in early stages of assessing thousands of documents related to Mandelson’s ambassador appointment.
• Labour MPs urge Sir Keir to disclose if he saw a report by party peer Lord Glasman warning of Mandelson’s Epstein links.
• Lord Glasman told Sky News last September he flagged the relationship to Number 10 but received a “discreet suggestion to basically shut up”.
• The scandal has intensified pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, with some Labour figures calling for his resignation.

Camden, North London (North London News) February 8, 2026 – Police have searched two properties belonging to former Labour grandee Lord Peter Mandelson in Camden and Wiltshire as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, with boxes removed from his north London home on Friday evening.​

The Metropolitan Police’s central specialist crime team executed the warrants, confirming the 72-year-old peer has not been arrested while enquiries continue.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart stated the operation targets offences linked to newly released Jeffrey Epstein files exposing Mandelson’s ties to the disgraced financier.

What Triggered the Police Searches?

As reported by Sky News political correspondent, the searches stem directly from fresh Epstein documents that detail Mandelson’s interactions with the paedophile financier post-2008 financial crash.​

The files suggest Mandelson, then business secretary, shared market-sensitive information with Epstein, prompting the misconduct probe.

Lord Mandelson has categorically denied wrongdoing, emphasising in prior statements his regret over the association and apologies extended to Epstein’s victims.

Plain-clothed officers were observed at the Camden property, north London, using torches to inspect a Range Rover outside, while boxes were carried away into waiting vehicles.

Simultaneously, police cars blocked the driveway at Mandelson’s Wiltshire residence, underscoring the scale of the operation across two counties.

Who Is Leading the Investigation?

Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Hayley Sewart issued an official statement:

“The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man,”

adding,

“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”​

The central specialist crime team, tasked with complex cases, is sifting through a significant volume of material seized during the raids.

Sky News understands the probe intensified following the latest Epstein file disclosures, which have thrust Mandelson’s past dealings back into the spotlight.

No charges have been filed, and Mandelson cooperated fully, according to sources close to the matter cited in the coverage.

How Does Jeffrey Epstein Factor In?

The Epstein connection forms the crux of the scrutiny, with released US files illuminating a closer relationship than previously acknowledged.

Documents reportedly show Mandelson passing sensitive economic intelligence to Epstein amid the global financial turmoil.

As Lord Mandelson previously remarked in defence: he regrets maintaining a relationship with Epstein and has apologised to the sex offender’s victims.

Epstein’s network has ensnared numerous high-profile figures, but Mandelson’s alleged information-sharing marks a novel allegation in the UK context.

The files’ release has reignited calls for transparency around Mandelson’s public roles, including his recent ambassador bid.

Why Was Mandelson Sacked as Ambassador?

Sir Keir Starmer sacked Mandelson from the UK ambassador to the US role in September 2025, citing discrepancies in his Epstein disclosures.

The Prime Minister accused him of lying about the friendship’s depth during vetting for the prestigious Washington posting.

In a letter to parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) chair, Sir Keir wrote he wants documents released “as soon as possible” but flagged a “very significant volume of material” needing review.​

He directed the cabinet secretary to work with the ISC on sharing content that could harm UK national security or international relations.

Downing Street spokespeople informed journalists the government plans to publish the vetting files “shortly”, amid coordination with police.

What Pressure Mounts on Sir Keir Starmer?

Sir Keir Starmer remains under intense scrutiny, with Labour MPs demanding clarity on a report warning of Mandelson’s Epstein links.

As reported by Sky News, Labour grandee Lord Glasman revealed last September he alerted Number 10 to the pair’s relationship, only to receive a “discreet suggestion to basically shut up”.​

Some within Labour advocate for Starmer’s resignation over the handling of the Mandelson saga.

Sky News political editor understands officials are early in reviewing thousands of ambassador appointment documents to avoid prejudicing the police inquiry.

The Prime Minister’s Friday letter underscores urgency, yet cautions against rushed releases compromising security.

What Happens with the Seized Material?

Investigators face a substantial task reviewing the “significant volume of material” carted from Mandelson’s properties.

Boxes from Camden signal digital and physical records potentially pertinent to the misconduct claims.

The Wiltshire search similarly yielded items for forensic analysis by the specialist crime team.

Enquiries proceed without arrest, affording Mandelson opportunity to engage voluntarily.

Met Police emphasise the probe’s ongoing nature, with no timeline for conclusions disclosed.

When Will Vetting Documents Emerge?

Downing Street assured reporters the ambassador vetting documents arrive “shortly”, post-police consultation.

Thousands of pages demand meticulous assessment to safeguard the Mandelson investigation.

Sir Keir’s ISC correspondence pledges cooperation, balancing transparency with national interests.

Labour backbenchers press for revelation of whether Starmer viewed Lord Glasman’s Epstein warning.

The delay fuels speculation, amplifying pressure on the government’s crisis management.

Where Did the Searches Take Place?

The Camden property in north London witnessed the most visible activity, with boxes loaded Friday evening.

Police cars dominated the Wiltshire driveway, the second site in the coordinated raids.

A Range Rover outside the London home drew officer attention via torchlight examination.

These locations underscore Mandelson’s dual-residence footprint, complicating logistics for the Met.

North London residents reported the unusual scene, heightening local intrigue.

Who Else Is Implicated?

Lord Glasman’s intervention last September positions him as a key whistleblower figure.

He confided to Sky News his Number 10 briefing met resistance: a “discreet suggestion to basically shut up”.​

Sir Keir Starmer’s direct accusations against Mandelson elevate the Prime Minister’s role.

Cabinet secretary and ISC members now navigate the document disclosure minefield.

Epstein’s shadow looms over all, with files naming global elites beyond Mandelson.

What Are the Broader Implications?

The scandal erodes trust in Labour’s vetting processes for top diplomatic posts.

Mandelson’s resignation from the Lords over Epstein links, post-Labour Party exit, amplifies fallout.

Public outrage demands accountability, mirroring global Epstein reckonings.

Police neutrality prevails, with no rush to judgement amid material review.

For Sir Keir, mastering this could define his leadership; mishandling risks deeper party rifts.