Peter Mandelson ARRESTED over Epstein files just days after Andrew held by cops
PETER Mandelson has been arrested as part of a probe into misconduct in public office – just days after Andrew was quizzed by cops.
The ex-ambassador, 72, is accused of leaking sensitive government intelligence to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Police descended on the 72-year-old’s home this afternoon before the shamed ex-ambassador left in an unmarked car.
He was taken to a police station in London to be quizzed by cops.
Mandelson has previously denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets his friendship with the convicted sex offender.
His arrest came days after Andrew was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The ex-prince was in custody for 11 hours while cops combed his homes – including his former abode Royal Lodge.
Experts say they will now be examining any devices they seized, such as phones and laptops.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in an update today: “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, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.
“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”
Scotland Yard previously said their probe into Mandelson will “take some time”.
It comes after documents in the Epstein Files appeared to show the former Cabinet Minister passing confidential information to the billionaire sex offender during his time in office.
The scandal has thrown Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership into freefall with mutinous MPs furious that he hired Mandelson as US Ambassador last year.
The PM has insisted Mandelson “lied” to him about the “depth and darkness” of his relationship with Epstein.
Several rebel Labour MPs broke cover to call directly for Sir Keir to resign over the furore.
The extent of Mandelson’s relationship with the prolific sex offender is emerging as one of the worst scandals in modern political history and threatened to bring down the government.
No. 10 has been forced to publish tens of thousands of correspondence between Mandelson and government advisers, ministers and officials relating to his appointment.
They are currently sifting through the exchanges that risk being explosive and could plunge the PM into further turmoil.
It comes after the Commons heard that the first batch are expected to be released “very shortly in early March”.
One of those documents is subject to the ongoing police investigation so will be released at a later date in consultation with the police.
Any that could impact national security or international relations will be referred to an independent parliamentary committee to consider any redactions.
