UK Police Investigate Mandelson Over Epstein Leaks

Former Minister Faces Criminal Probe for Sharing State Secrets

The Metropolitan Police in London has confirmed it is reviewing allegations of 'misconduct in public office' following explosive revelations that former UK minister Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The police announcement comes after the latest release of Epstein documents by the U.S. Department of Justice, which includes emails showing Mandelson shared confidential economic intelligence while serving as Business Secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

What Did Mandelson Leak?

According to documents reviewed by The Times, Mandelson forwarded a confidential memo in 2009 containing market-sensitive information about planned government asset sales designed to stabilize public finances. The memo, written by Nick Butler, then an adviser to Gordon Brown, included details about selling £20 billion in state assets and pushing banks to increase lending during the financial crisis.

Even more damaging, Mandelson allegedly gave Epstein advance notice in 2010 about the creation of a €500 billion European Stability Mechanism - a massive bailout fund for the eurozone - one day before its official announcement. This information could have allowed Epstein to profit from market movements.

'I had absolutely no idea that Peter was sending emails I had written to anyone outside government. I am deeply dismayed that my confidence has been breached,' Butler told The Times.

Police Investigation Underway

While the Metropolitan Police statement doesn't name Mandelson specifically, sources confirm he is the subject of the review. The police announcement states they have received reports about 'alleged misconduct in a public office' and will assess each case to determine if criminal suspicions warrant a full investigation.

The scandal has triggered widespread political fallout. Mandelson has already resigned his Labour Party membership, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for him to be stripped of his peerage titles, though Starmer acknowledges he lacks the power to do so directly.

Broader Epstein Document Release

The revelations come as part of a massive document dump by the U.S. Department of Justice, which released over three million pages, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images related to the Epstein case. The files name numerous high-profile figures including former President Bill Clinton, Norwegian Princess Mette-Marit, and Dutch model Yfke Sturm.

This isn't Mandelson's first Epstein-related controversy. He was dismissed as British Ambassador to the United States in September 2025 after his connections to Epstein became public. Documents also show Epstein transferred $75,000 to Mandelson, though the former minister denies any wrongdoing regarding these payments.

Political Reactions and Fallout

Opposition parties and even Labour parliamentarians are demanding a full criminal investigation. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stated he wants 'the full truth to come out' about the leaks.

'This represents a wholesale breach of government confidentiality and ministerial responsibility,' said one senior Conservative MP speaking anonymously. 'When a serving Cabinet minister shares state secrets with a convicted sex offender, it raises fundamental questions about our national security.'

The Metropolitan Police review could lead to formal charges under the common law offense of misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Legal experts suggest the threshold for prosecution is high but could be met given the sensitive nature of the leaked information.

As the investigation unfolds, the Mandelson case highlights the ongoing reverberations from the Epstein scandal and raises troubling questions about the relationships between powerful political figures and disgraced financiers.