Police Search Properties Linked to Mandelson in Ongoing Epstein Probe

British police are conducting searches at two properties linked to former Ambassador Peter Mandelson as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.

The Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime team is searching the properties in relation to an ongoing inquiry, which involves a 72-year-old man. The addresses in question are located in the Camden area of London and Wiltshire.

Mandelson, who is 72 years old, has residences in both locations. He is being investigated over documents suggesting he shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein, a financier convicted of sex offences involving a minor in 2008.

In September, emails published showed that Mandelson remained friends with Epstein after the conviction. More recent releases from the US Department of Justice appear to indicate that Mandelson also passed on sensitive, potentially market-moving information to Epstein during his time as business secretary under the Labour government led by Gordon Brown.

The investigation has prompted questions about Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson as Ambassador. The prime minister had previously sacked Mandelson after the initial emails were published and apologized for believing his “lies” when he appointed him to the role.

Starmer’s government has pledged to provide support to the police, who are now under pressure to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, due to his close relationship with Mandelson.

Source: Al Jazeera