Former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson, aged 72, was arrested in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released from police custody on Tuesday, his lawyers said. The detention comes as a criminal investigation into his contacts with Jeffrey Epstein continues, after the current government provided communications between Mandelson and the convicted sex offender to police.
In a statement issued on his behalf, law firm Mishcon de Reya said the arrest was prompted by what it described as a "baseless suggestion" that Mandelson intended to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad. The firm added: "There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion."
The statement said Mandelson had previously reached an agreement with police to attend a voluntary interview next month, and that his legal team had requested the authorities to produce the evidence that justified making the arrest now. The lawyers emphasized that an arrest means police suspect a crime has been committed but does not imply guilt.
Police began a criminal inquiry this month after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government passed on communications between Mandelson and Epstein. Mandelson was dismissed from what is described as the most prestigious post in Britain's diplomatic service in September, when the extent of his friendship with Epstein became public knowledge.
Mandelson has said he "very deeply" regretted his association with Epstein. His lawyers reiterated his cooperation with the inquiry, stating: "Peter Mandelson's overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name."
Earlier on Tuesday, foreign minister Yvette Cooper told Sky News that Mandelson should never have been appointed ambassador to the United States.
The unfolding events include several procedural and political elements already in the public record: a government transmission of communications to police, a criminal investigation opened by police, an arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the prior dismissal of Mandelson from his diplomatic role in September, and public commentary from the foreign minister. Mandelson's legal representatives have publicly challenged the basis for the arrest and sought supporting evidence from authorities.
"The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad," Mishcon de Reya said. "There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion."
The case remains active and subject to investigation. Outside the legal and political assertions made by Mandelson's lawyers and statements by government officials, the public record currently does not establish any finding of guilt.