LONDON – Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was released from police custody on Tuesday after being arrested in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, 72, was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain’s diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with the convicted sex offender 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.
Mandelson was filmed leaving his central London home on Monday afternoon. He was accompanied by plainclothes officers wearing body cameras, before being driven away in a car.
A separate statement later said he had been released on bail, pending further investigation, and he was seen returning home at around 0200 GMT.
The arrest means police suspect a crime has been committed but does not imply any guilt.
There was no immediate response from Mandelson’s lawyers. (Reuters)
