Peter Mandelson arrested amid Epstein files fallout as emails suggest he shared sensitive information
Former U.K. ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was arrested by London police Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, amid mounting criticism of his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police issued a statement, saying, "Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas."
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Police did not name Mandelson but he was seen on video being escorted from his home. Officials later said that the 72-year-old man had been released on bail pending further investigation.
Mandelson was fired as U.K. ambassador to the U.S. in September after lawmakers released a "birthday book" compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in which Mandelson referred to Epstein as his "best pal."
Mandelson has not commented on the Epstein files since a letter earlier this month resigning from his party.
"Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me," Mandelson said in a letter to the General Secretary of the Labour Party earlier this month in which he said he was resigning from the Labour Party to prevent "further embarrassment" to the party.
"I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this," Mandelson said in the letter. "I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now."
He has not commented publicly since his arrest, but the BBC reported that Mandelson claims not to have acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.
Emails exchanged
Emails recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice suggest that Epstein was provided with what appears to be sensitive information by Mandelson while Mandelson was serving as the U.K.'s First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
In a June 2009 email, Mandelson forwarded Epstein a memo written by an economic adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown about how to secure more business support for his government.
The memo encouraged selling non-strategic government assets to secure public funds, rather than borrowing more money.
Mandelson shared the note with Epstein, writing, "Interesting note that's gone to the PM."
When Epstein asked about the "saleable assets" mentioned in the memo, an email from a person who appears to be Mandelson replied, "land, property I guess." Due to inconsistent redactions by the Department of Justice, the sender and recipients of some emails are redacted, though the chain appears to be between only Mandelson and Epstein.
In another email, Mandelson appeared to confirm the timing of an impending bailout during the European Union's sovereign debt crisis.
"Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout , almost compelte [sic]," Epstein wrote Mandelson in a May 9, 2010 email.
"Sd [sic] be announced tonight," an email appearing to be Mandelson's replied, later adding that he would call Epstein after he leaves 10 Downing Street, the residence of the U.K. prime minister.
The European Union announced a 500 billion Euro fund to stabilize the Euro that day.
Possible coordination
As Prime Minister Gordon Brown pushed to tax bankers' bonuses following the 2008 financial crisis, Mandelson appeared to coordinate with Epstein to push back on the policy.
During a Dec. 15, 2009, email exchange, Epstein appeared to ask Mandelson if there was "any real chance of making the tax only on the cash portion of the bankers bonus?"
"Trying hard to amend ... " Mandelson appeared to respond. "Treasury digging in but I am on case."
Two days later, Epstein emailed Mandelson to ask if a banking executive should call the UK..'s Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the tax issue.
"Yes and mildly threaten," Mandelson appeared to reply.
Epstein later asked to speak with Mandelson in person before asking over email, "does it make more sense to offer more for the small business fund in exchange for a reduction in tax?"
Alleged gifts and hospitality
Even after Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges in Florida, Mandelson appeared to remain in contact with Epstein and accept his gifts and hospitality from him.
"Still OK for Fri-Sat chez vous?" Mandelson wrote to Epstein in June 2009 about staying over at his Manhattan townhome. "Can you give a bed to my spokesman/friend/collaborator as well?"
Later that year, Mandelson's current husband asked Epstein to send him money to support his osteopathy education.
"I sent you a couple of emails last week regarding my osteo course expenses, incl fee, anatomical models, lap top if you can help me with this," Mandelson's partner wrote about his £3,225 annual fee for his education.
"I will wire your loan amount immediatcd'y [sic]," Epstein replied and later forwarded the exchange to Mandelson.
Later emails suggest that Epstein sen. £10,000 to Mandelson's partner.
The files released by the Department of Justice suggest that Mandelson attempted to stay at a property owned by Epstein in 2012, though Epstein later apologized for missing his request.
"No insult, don't worry! I still love you," Mandelson replied.
In an email later that year, Epstein lashed out against Mandelson for taking too much from him, referencing the money sent to his partner and meetings arranged by Epstein.
"I must tell you, that after year of being by your side, supporting your boyfriend when he needed it, unwavering in my guidance, though emotionally rejected, I am disappointed in what appears to be a one way street," Epstein wrote. "Jeffrey can I have, Jeffrey can you give Jeffrey can you organize ... .can you call, can you arrange. .. you have yet to offer real assistance, sign of gratitude or appreciation..
"I thought you knew, because I have said and written, how much I appreciate your support," Mandelson replied. "You are not an easy person to give to you because you already have. But when you didn't 'have', during your trials and tribulations, I never left your side, I was always there with advice and moral support, and I never turned away. So although I accept your stricture, of course, and feel it deeply, I don't think it has been a total one way street."
