Top Criminal Lawyer Visits Mandelson Amid Full Epstein Investigation
David Corker, a prominent criminal lawyer from the firm Corker Binning, was seen leaving the London residence of disgraced peer Peter Mandelson earlier today. The visit comes as Scotland Yard has mounted a comprehensive criminal investigation into the Labour grandee following explosive revelations about his relationship with the convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Police Presence and Legal Support
Two individuals believed to be police officers arrived outside Lord Mandelson's £7.6 million house near Regent's Park on Friday afternoon. This property was purchased by the politician in 2011, reportedly following advice from Epstein himself. David Corker is the second high-profile lawyer to be spotted at Mandelson's home this weekend, following the appearance of 'heavy-hitter' Adrian Darbishire there yesterday.
The criminal investigation was formally announced on Tuesday after both the Government and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown passed critical information to the Metropolitan Police. This development follows the Daily Mail uncovering further sensational details about Lord Mandelson's dealings with Epstein, with whom he maintained a close relationship even after Epstein's imprisonment for child sex offences.
Damning Email Evidence
Among the revelations are bombshell emails that seemingly show Mandelson and Epstein discussing confidential negotiations over a £10 billion Ministry of Defence contract while Mandelson served as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown's government. In another exchange, on the very day Epstein was released from prison, the pair appeared to joke about celebrating with 'two strippers', with Mandelson referring to his paedophile friend as a 'naughty boy' for making the suggestion.
Lord Mandelson has previously suggested that his status as a gay man meant he was 'kept separate from what Epstein was doing in the sexual side of his life'. However, among the three million pages of so-called Epstein Files released by the US Department of Justice are bank statements indicating that Mandelson and his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, received payments from Epstein totalling tens of thousands of pounds.
Financial Transactions and Political Fallout
Labour's 'Dark Lord' is named as the recipient of three $25,000 (£21,500) payments, which he denies receiving, while Mr da Silva was the subject of a standing order that paid out $4,000 (£2,900) monthly for three months. On Tuesday, the disgraced peer finally bowed to public pressure and resigned his seat in the House of Lords. The Labour grandee, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, is now likely to be interviewed by officers over claims that his dealings with Epstein violated the law.
Detectives were observed entering Peter Mandelson's London home today, with additional searches reportedly taking place in Wiltshire. Cabinet ministers David Lammy and Pat McFadden, who served as junior ministers in Mandelson's department, could be asked to provide evidence, as could former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Political Reactions and Ongoing Scrutiny
Confirmation of the police probe came just hours after Downing Street revealed that the Cabinet Office had sent its own dossier to detectives, highlighting the 'market-sensitive' nature of the material apparently passed by Lord Mandelson to Epstein during the height of the financial crisis. No 10 stated that Sir Keir Starmer was 'appalled' by the revelations, telling his Cabinet that Lord Mandelson had 'let his country down'.
However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserted that Sir Keir and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, have 'a lot of questions to answer' regarding why they appointed Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States despite knowing he maintained his friendship with the notorious paedophile. Badenoch branded the scandal a 'national embarrassment', stating that the police inquiry was 'inevitable' given the seriousness of the allegations. She emphasised that people 'should not let this distract us from the fact that the Prime Minister has his fingerprints all over this', adding that Sir Keir Starmer needs to 'come clean and tell us what he knew and when'.
Mr Corker has been approached for comment regarding his visit to Mandelson's residence. The investigation continues as authorities delve deeper into the connections between the former Labour minister and the disgraced financier.
