The UK’s Metropolitan Police has confirmed that authorities have raided two properties as part of an ongoing criminal investigation connected to Britain’s disgraced former U.S. Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said officers from the force’s central specialist crime team are executing search warrants at addresses in Wiltshire and Camden.
“I can confirm that officers from the Met’s central specialist crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area,” Sewart said.
“The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.
“He has not been arrested, and enquiries are ongoing.”
Ambassador Appointment, Epstein Fallout
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appointed the Labour veteran as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington in December 2024, hoping his political and business relationships, and his “ability to charm,” would help build ties with President Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
However, Lord Mandelson is an outspoken Trump critic, and his public remarks quickly strained the relationship.
His friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and the fact that he maintained contact after the pedophile’s conviction for child sex crimes were already known at the time of the appointment.
But Downing Street dismissed him from the post last September after new details emerged about the depth of that relationship, including emails showing supportive messages sent to Epstein during his 2008 child sex-offense case.
New Epstein Files, Financial Allegations
A recent tranche of Epstein-related documents revealed additional contact between the sex trafficker and Lord Mandelson.
The files include emails showing Epstein sent £10,000 ($13.6k) in 2009 to Mandelson’s partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
The recent disclosures triggered Lord Mandelson’s resignation from the ruling Labour Party after more than four decades and his decision to step down from the House of Lords.
Among the allegations are emails suggesting Lord Mandelson forwarded market-sensitive government information to Epstein while serving as business secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.
It is believed the information may have helped Epstein profit during the financial crisis.
Mandelson sent the financial data to Epstein before it was made public, which would have allowed the financier to cash in on the information.
The Metropolitan Police have since opened a criminal investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.
Business Fallout And Political Response
Global Counsel, the lobbying firm Lord Mandelson co-founded, has severed ties with him following the scandal.
“Peter Mandelson no longer has any shareholding, role or association with Global Counsel and has no influence over the firm in any capacity,” the company said.
Chief executive Benjamin Wegg-Prosser also announced his departure, stating it was “time to draw a line” between the firm and Mandelson’s “actions.”
Managing director Rebecca Park has been promoted to chief executive and has acquired Mandelson’s shares.
The firm reported turnover of nearly £22 million ($29.94) in 2024.
Lord Mandelson has not responded to the latest allegations, but previously apologized to Epstein’s victims for maintaining contact with the financier.
Starmer Defends Vetting Process Comments
Downing Street rejected suggestions that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was attempting to blame security services for failures in vetting Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment.
Starmer said security vetting procedures “need to be looked at again” and added:
“It now transpires that what was being said was not true, and had I known then what I know now, I’d never have appointed him, in the first place.”
His remarks prompted accusations that he was shifting blame onto intelligence agencies.
But the prime minister’s official spokesperson insisted the services “are not being blamed.
“The PM yesterday talked about the general question of the checks conducted on Mandelson, and he has concerns about what that process covered.”
READ MORE – Epstein & Bill Gates Discussed Getting ‘Rid of Poor People as a Whole’
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