Who is Lord Peter Mandelson? The former US Ambassador arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIndependent StaffMonday 23 February 2026 18:02 GMTLord Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public officePolice have arrested Peter Mandelson on allegations of misconduct in public office (MiPO) following allegations he passed on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary, with two of his properties searched by police.His arrest follows search warrants at properties in Camden and Wiltshire and is linked to accusations of leaking Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while Mandelson was business secretary.Lord Peter Mandelson previously served as MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, where he served as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but resigned twice over separate controversies.Mandelson was briefly US ambassador until he was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer in September 2025 following scrutiny over his ties to Epstein; Mandelson has since resigned from Labour Party and House of Lords.Mandelson denies recalling the alleged payments and has apologised to Epstein's victims, stating he was wrong to maintain an association with the financier after his conviction.Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in