US Lawmakers Issue Formal Request for Mandelson Testimony in Epstein Probe
Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, has been formally requested to testify before the US Congress as part of its ongoing investigation into the operations of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The request comes in a letter from two Democratic members of the House of Representatives, who have given Mandelson until the end of the month to respond.
Congressional Committee Seeks Critical Information
In the letter, Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam emphasized that Mandelson possesses extensive social and business ties to Epstein and holds critical information relevant to the investigation. The lawmakers stated, "Given the appalling allegations regarding Epstein’s conduct, we request that you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with Committee staff regarding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators."
The letter specifically references instances where Mandelson was photographed or mentioned in the 3.5 million Epstein files released in the past fortnight, underscoring the urgency and importance of his testimony. This development highlights the international scope of the Epstein case, which continues to draw scrutiny from authorities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Parallel Investigations and Legal Challenges
Simultaneously, Mandelson is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for alleged misconduct in a public office. The allegations suggest that he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s government in 2009. As part of this probe, officers have conducted searches at two properties connected to the former member of the House of Lords.
Mandelson has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing in these matters. However, the pressure is mounting as he recently resigned from the House of Lords and relinquished his membership in the Labour Party earlier this month due to his links to Epstein, who was a convicted child sex offender. Additionally, Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September because of his past connections to the financier.
Broader Context and Previous Requests
This is not the first time the committee has sought testimony from high-profile figures linked to Epstein. Last year, Garcia and Subramanyam made a similar request to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who failed to respond to an interview request in November. That prompted Keir Starmer to comment that individuals with "relevant information" should come forward.
The ongoing investigations reflect a concerted effort by US lawmakers to uncover the full extent of Epstein’s network and activities. With Mandelson’s deadline approaching, his response could significantly impact the trajectory of the congressional probe and shed light on the intricate relationships within Epstein’s circle.
