Lord Peter Mandelson’s bail conditions have been lifted as authorities investigate allegations against him. The 72-year-old was taken into custody last month over claims of disclosing confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. The arrest followed a tip-off from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, suggesting Mandelson was planning to leave the country, which he denied.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that Mandelson’s passport has been returned to him. In a statement from his legal team, it was clarified that all bail conditions had been removed, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and denying any intention to flee. Further comments from Mandelson were not provided at this time.
The arrest was triggered by evidence from the US Department of Justice indicating Mandelson’s alleged sharing of privileged information with Epstein, including advance knowledge of an EU financial rescue post the 2008 economic downturn. Police conducted searches at his London residence, valued at £7.6 million, and his rented farmhouse in Wiltshire.
Lord Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords following the release of incriminating documents by the DoJ earlier this year, was dismissed from his role as Keir Starmer’s ambassador to the US in connection with revealing emails that exposed his close ties with Epstein post the latter’s 2008 conviction for sex trafficking.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that the 72-year-old man, detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office, has been released while the investigation continues.
