UK police to review misconduct claims after Mandelson’s leaks to Epstein

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says ex-envoy Peter Mandelson should no longer hold a seat in the upper house of parliament.Published On 3 Feb 2026Police in the United Kingdom have announced they are reviewing allegations of misconduct in public office following revelations that London’s former ambassador to Washington leaked confidential government information to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The announcement by the Metropolitan Police on Monday came after investigative files released by United States authorities revealed that Peter Mandelson shared government plans with Epstein while serving as a UK minister.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘False narrative’: Families challenge Trump’s 75-country US visa suspensionlist 2 of 4France adopts 2026 budget after two no-confidence votes faillist 3 of 4Relief for patients leaving Gaza as Rafah opens, but thousands still waitlist 4 of 4What is the US strategic minerals stockpile?end of listMandelson, who served as business secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, told Epstein about asset sales and tax changes under consideration by London in 2009, as well as plans for the 500 billion euro ($590bn) bailout of the single currency in 2010, according to emails released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.“Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation,” Metropolitan Police Commander Ella Marriott said in a statement.“As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate,” Marriott added.The Metropolitan Police did not name Mandelson, but its statement came after the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party said he had written to the police commissioner urging him to investigate the former ambassador for alleged misconduct in public office.