London, Feb. 24 (SANA) British police have arrested Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States and senior Labour Party figure, as part of an investigation linked to his ties to the late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein.
London’s Metropolitan Police said Monday that officers detained a 72-year-old man in north London on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Associated Press reported. While police did not name the suspect, Mandelson was identified in previous reports as being under investigation and was filmed leaving his home with officers.
Authorities are examining allegations that Mandelson passed sensitive U.K. government information to Epstein about 15 years ago. He does not face accusations of sexual misconduct.
The arrest follows the recent detention of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, in a separate case involving similar allegations. He was released after several hours while investigations continue.
Mandelson, a prominent figure in Labour governments under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, served as ambassador to Washington until Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed him in September after emails revealed he maintained contact with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction.
Documents released earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department included messages suggesting Mandelson shared potentially sensitive government information with Epstein in 2009. Police launched a criminal investigation this month and have searched properties linked to him.
Under U.K. law, suspects can be held without charge for up to 24 hours, extendable in certain circumstances. The investigation remains ongoing.
