Peter Mandelson in Epstein Files: What Confidential Information Did Britain's Former Ambassador Share With a Convicted Predator?

Britain's former ambassador to the United States shared confidential government information with a convicted child sex offender. Now he's in police custody.

Peter Mandelson, 72, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Metropolitan Police officers led him from his north London home in Camden and executed search warrants at two properties, one in Wiltshire and another in London, according to a police statement.

The charge? The same one used against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, who was arrested on his 66th birthday just four days earlier.

Two Arrests, One Pattern

Both men face accusations that they passed sensitive government documents to Jeffrey Epstein. And both arrests stem from the same source: millions of files released by the US Department of Justice.

Mandelson's arrest came on the same day longevity expert Peter Attia quit CBS News. Attia's name appeared more than 1,700 times in the Epstein documents, NBC News reported. He had been a contributor for less than a week.

The fallout is accelerating. Careers are ending. Criminal investigations are mounting. And the DOJ's document dump is exposing connections between Epstein and powerful figures across multiple countries and industries.

What Did Mandelson Allegedly Leak?

This is where the story gets uncomfortable for British citizens.

Mandelson served as business secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010, right in the middle of the global financial crisis. Emails released by the DOJ allegedly show him feeding Epstein market-moving government information during this period.

In one 2010 email, Mandelson appeared to confirm a €500 billion or $589 billion (£436 billion) eurozone bailout package before it was publicly announced. He allegedly told Epstein the announcement would come 'later that night'.

Another exchange showed him forwarding an internal government memo to Epstein with the message: 'Interesting note that's gone to the PM.' The memo reportedly detailed Britain's struggling economy and included recommendations to sell off government assets.

He also allegedly discussed a planned tax on bankers' bonuses with Epstein, according to The Irish Times.

Why would a cabinet minister share this with a convicted sex offender? That's what the police want to find out.

A Friendship That Survived a Conviction

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor. He served 13 months in a Florida jail. But the friendship with Mandelson continued.

The files show Mandelson called Epstein 'my best pal' in a 2003 birthday book. Documents also suggest Epstein paid $75,000 (£56,000) in three separate transactions to accounts linked to Mandelson or his then-partner in 2003 and 2004, according to NBC News. Mandelson has denied receiving these payments, saying he has 'no record or recollection' of them.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson as US ambassador in December 2024, knowing about the Epstein connection. He fired him in September 2025 when more damaging emails surfaced. Earlier this month, Starmer accused Mandelson of having 'lied repeatedly' about the depth of the relationship.

What Comes Next

The government has agreed to release documents related to Mandelson's ambassadorial vetting. The first batch is expected in early March. But some materials will be delayed because of the police investigation, and others will go through the Intelligence and Security Committee due to national security concerns.

Misconduct in public office is notoriously difficult to prosecute. But it carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Mandelson can be held for up to 24 hours, extendable to 96 hours with a magistrate's approval. He has not been charged. He has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, though he has apologised for maintaining the friendship after the 2008 conviction.

The question now: who's next? Britain's former ambassador shared confidential government information with a convicted predator. He's in custody. And investigators are still going through millions of documents.