Police Launch Review Into Mandelson-Epstein Email Revelations
Lord Peter Mandelson, the architect of New Labour, is facing a potential police investigation following explosive revelations that he shared highly sensitive government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed tonight that they have received formal referrals from both Reform UK and the Scottish National Party, urging detectives to examine allegations of misconduct in public office. Scotland Yard stated that officers are currently reviewing these reports to determine whether they meet the criminal threshold for a full investigation.
Financial Crisis Confidentiality Breach
At the heart of the controversy are emails from 2009, recently released as part of three million documents by the US Department of Justice, which show Mandelson forwarding confidential Treasury advice to Epstein. The correspondence occurred during the peak of the global financial turmoil, when Mandelson served as Business Secretary in Gordon Brown's government.
One particularly damaging email reveals that Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of a massive €500 billion Eurozone bailout package. This information could have allowed the disgraced financier to profit financially before the deal was formally announced to markets the following day.
"Betrayal" of Government Trust
Catherine MacLeod, who served as special adviser to then-Chancellor Alastair Darling, described the leaking of confidential Treasury emails to Epstein as a "betrayal" in a Radio 4 interview. Her comments reflect the serious breach of ministerial responsibility that these revelations suggest.
Further documents appear to show Mandelson forwarding emails in which key Downing Street aides and ministers discussed proposed £20 billion asset sales to shore up the UK economy. These communications also revealed Labour's tax policy plans at a critical economic juncture.
Mandelson's Defence and Political Fallout
In an interview published tonight, Lord Mandelson claimed he was "too trusting" of Epstein, whom he described as "muck that you can't get off your shoe… Like dog muck, the smell never goes away." However, he insisted that none of the Epstein files indicate wrongdoing on his part and refused to give evidence to a US Congress inquiry into the matter.
The peer, who quit the Labour party on Sunday to avoid causing "further embarrassment," made it clear he has no intention of disappearing from public life. He told The Times: "Hiding under a rock would be a disproportionate response to a handful of misguided historical emails, which I regret sending."
Financial Transactions and Favours
The released documents include bank statements showing a $25,000 transfer from Epstein to Peter Mandelson, though the peer claims he cannot remember receiving the money and believes it may be fake. Separate records suggest Epstein made $75,000 worth of payments to accounts connected to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004.
Emails also reveal that Epstein used his connection with Mandelson to arrange private tours of 10 Downing Street, including for his 15-year-old goddaughter. In July 2009, Epstein emailed Mandelson requesting special access, to which the then-Business Secretary responded: "Fine on all."
Political Pressure Mounts
Reform UK stated it was "abundantly clear" that Lord Mandelson "abused his position in office" and called on police to investigate these "shocking revelations." Meanwhile, Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, wrote to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley insisting that Mandelson's tenure in government "must now be criminally investigated."
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown revealed that he wrote to the Cabinet Secretary last September calling for an investigation into Mandelson, but was told no records could be found. Brown has now asked the Cabinet Secretary to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market-sensitive information from the Business Department during the financial crisis.
Broader Implications
The revelations come after Mandelson was sacked as British ambassador to the United States last year when previous emails with Epstein were made public. Those communications showed Mandelson encouraging Epstein to "fight for early release" from prison, where he was serving time for soliciting a minor.
These latest disclosures raise serious questions about the boundaries between government service and personal relationships, particularly during periods of national economic emergency. The police review will determine whether Mandelson's actions crossed from poor judgment into criminal territory.
