Police have conducted coordinated searches at two properties belonging to former Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson, executing warrants in both Camden, north London, and Wiltshire. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the operations are connected to an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, specifically involving a 72-year-old male individual.
Properties Searched in London and Wiltshire
On Friday evening, officers were observed removing boxes from Mandelson's Camden residence while multiple police vehicles occupied the driveway of his Wiltshire country house. Plain-clothed detectives used torches to examine a Range Rover parked outside the London address as part of their forensic examination. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart of the Metropolitan Police stated that the "central specialist crime team" was responsible for executing the search warrants.
The police statement clarified: "The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man. He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing." This investigation has gained momentum following recent disclosures from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which have shed new light on the relationship between the disgraced financier and the former business secretary.
Epstein Connection and Information Sharing Allegations
The investigation appears to focus on allegations that Mandelson shared market-sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as business secretary following the 2008 financial crisis. The newly released documents from the US Department of Justice reportedly contain evidence of their communications and meetings, including photographs showing the pair together on Epstein's yacht.
Lord Mandelson has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, though he has expressed regret about maintaining their association. He has publicly apologised to Epstein's victims while maintaining his innocence regarding the misconduct allegations currently under police investigation.
Political Fallout and Document Release Pressure
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting political pressure to release documents related to Mandelson's vetting process for his appointment as UK ambassador to the United States, a position from which he was dismissed in September. Sir Keir has acknowledged that Mandelson misrepresented the extent of his relationship with Epstein during the appointment process.
In correspondence with the chair of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, the Prime Minister indicated his desire to release relevant documents promptly. However, he noted that "a very significant volume of material" concerning Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment requires thorough review before publication. Sir Keir has instructed the cabinet secretary to collaborate with the ISC regarding the handling of material that could potentially compromise national security or international relations.
Internal Labour Party Tensions
The scandal has created significant internal divisions within the Labour Party, with several backbench MPs calling for substantial changes in Downing Street. Labour MP Simon Opher has publicly demanded a "clear out at Number 10," suggesting that Prime Minister Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, should consider resignation given his previous political alliance with Mandelson.
Veteran Labour figures including Clive Efford and Patrick Hurley have echoed these sentiments, while former cabinet minister Harriet Harman has warned that Sir Keir requires a "substantial reset" to maintain his leadership position. Despite these pressures, no senior frontline Labour politicians have yet publicly called for the Prime Minister's resignation.
Sir Keir Starmer has apologised for accepting Mandelson's "lies" regarding his relationship with Epstein, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. The Prime Minister appointed Mandelson as US ambassador in 2024 but dismissed him following initial Epstein file revelations last year. The most recent document release prompted Mandelson's resignation from the Labour Party and the House of Lords, though he continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing as police investigations proceed.
