Former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson arrested in Epstein probe
UK Ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson arrives at the Cabinet Office in central London. (Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States, was arrested Monday in London.
The arrest stemmed from a misconduct investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
Peter Mandelson arrested
The backstory:
Police are investigating Mandelson, 72, over documents suggesting he passed sensitive government information to Epstein a decade and a half ago. He does not face any allegations of sexual misconduct.
Mandelson was fired from his diplomatic post in September after emails were published showing that he maintained a friendship with Epstein after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor. When more details emerged in documents released by the U.S. Justice Department last month, police opened a criminal probe.
Dig deeper:
The Epstein files suggest that Mandelson passed on sensitive — and potentially market-moving — government information to Epstein in 2009, when Mandelson was a member of the then-government.
Officers subsequently searched Mandelson’s two houses in London and western England.
Former Prince Andrew arrested
Meanwhile:
His arrest comes four days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of a similar offense related to his friendship with Epstein.
RELATED: Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Andrew was released after 11 hours in custody while the police investigation continues.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from British police, as obtained by and reported on by The Associated Press. Background information was taken from previous FOX Television Station reportings and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.