Former UK ambassador to U.S. Peter Mandelson taken into custody

Former UK ambassador to U.S. Peter Mandelson taken into custody
Former UK ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, enters a vehicle in London amid a police investigation linked to Jeffrey Epstein, 14 February, 2026.
Reuters

The former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson has been arrested by police in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Mandelson, 72, was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain's diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein started to become clear.

Police earlier this month began a criminal investigation into Mandelson after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government passed on communications between the former ambassador and Epstein.

"Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement relating to an investigation into a former government minister.

Earlier on Monday afternoon the government said that documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment as U.S. ambassador would be published in early March.

This is a developing story

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