Metropolitan Police Launch Investigation into Lord Mandelson's Epstein Communications
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating Lord Peter Mandelson over alleged emails sent to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein concerning a €500 billion Eurozone bailout. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated in an interview with ABC that the email represents a "potential criminal offence," marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of high-profile figures connected to Epstein.
Details of the Alleged Email and Bailout Information
According to Commissioner Rowley, the email in question appears to confirm a yet-to-be-announced €500 billion bailout of the Euro, which has raised serious concerns about the possible leaking of sensitive government information. "With Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador [to the US], there is a particular email to do with the bailout after the financial crash I think in 2008-09," Rowley explained. "It looks like it was shared with Epstein. We are looking at that as to whether it's a criminal offence."
The investigation focuses on Lord Mandelson's contact with Epstein during his tenure as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown's government, prior to which he served as European Commissioner for Trade between 2004 and 2008. This development follows Mandelson's recent referral to the European Union's anti-fraud agency last month amid the growing controversy.
Broader Police Investigations and Transparency Commitments
Sir Mark Rowley emphasized that all investigations would be conducted "without fear or favour," addressing public concerns about the high-profile nature of individuals mentioned in the latest release of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice. He stressed that the law applies equally to everyone, stating, "Those investigations all go wherever the evidence takes them — quite comfortable with investigating sort of famous or powerful people. I think it's really important for policing to do that, that sense of operating without fear or favour."
In addition to the Mandelson probe, the Metropolitan Police is reviewing a "whole range of sexual allegations" against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to determine if they merit a criminal investigation. Thames Valley Police is leading a separate investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor for alleged misconduct in public office.
International Cooperation and Evidence Gathering
The Commissioner revealed that he had requested full documents relating to Lord Mandelson from US Ambassador Warren Stephens last month, following Mandelson's dismissal as UK ambassador to the US over his friendship with Epstein. Rowley highlighted the need for unredacted evidence from US files, stating, "Of course, there's a big body of that evidence ... in the United States in all those files and at some stage we're going to need the unredacted evidence. We need the original copy and where did it come from and that's going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases."
Sir Mark is expected to push US authorities further during an upcoming visit to Washington, underscoring the international dimension of these investigations.
Context of Previous Investigations and Recent Developments
The Commissioner also provided context regarding previous investigations, noting that four interviews with Virginia Giuffre—who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein in 2001 to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor—did not yield evidence of sexual offending or trafficking that could be investigated in the UK. "That's why that investigation didn't go forward," Rowley stated. Ms. Giuffre died by suicide last year.
Lord Mandelson has come under intense scrutiny following his connection to Epstein, with the latest police investigation adding to the political fallout. The Independent has contacted both the Metropolitan Police and Lord Mandelson's representative for comment, but responses are pending as the investigation progresses.
