UK's ex-ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, arrested in the wake of Epstein emails

Peter Mandelson was arrested in London after having already quit his position as ambassador to the US over his ties to Epstein. JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images 2026-02-23T18:32:09.672Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Peter Mandelson, the former British Ambassador to the US, was arrested on Monday. Emails showed Mandelson sharing sensitive information with the convicted sex offender. He is the latest person to face consequences over the Epstein files in January. Peter Mandelson, the United Kingdom's former Ambassador to the United States, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on Monday in the continued fallout over the Epstein files. The police confirmed they had arrested a 72-year-old "former government minister" on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following search warrants at two addresses, including Camden. The description matches that of Mandelson.Documents released by the Department of Justice in January showed Mandelson sharing sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. In emails sent while Mandelson was a government minister, the politician forwarded internal memos to Epstein, tipping him off about changes in tax rules, the sale of government assets during the UK financial crisis, and the European Union's bailout of Greece's economy.The documents also contain a record of Epstein sending money to Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. Last year, he was fired as ambassador after more about his ties to Epstein became public, and he subsequently left the British Labour Party.Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police announced an investigation into Mandelson. Mandelson has denied any illegal activity and told The Times of London that his husband's acceptance of funds from Epstein reflected "a lapse in our collective judgment."Last week, King Charles' younger brother, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over government documents he shared with Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing. The scandal around Mandelson has grown to affect Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has faced backlash for appointing Mandelson to the ambassador position in 2024, despite knowing about his ties to Epstein. Several of Starmer's senior staff members have quit over the revelations.