Mandelson-Epstein latest: Police to review reports of alleged misconduct ‘after ex-minister leaked government email’

The Metropolitan Police has received “a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office” following the release of millions of documents relating to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Commander Ella Marriott said: “We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice.

“Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.

“As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate.”

Our political reporter, Athena Stavrou, shares:

Although Lord Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday, it is unlikely his peerage will be revoked.

The former US ambassador became a Labour Peer in 2008, but is currently on a leave of absence.

There have been calls in recent days to remove him from the House of Lords altogether, in light of the fresh claims that emerged over the weekend.

But to do so would require a complicated process, in which the government would have to propose and pass a specific piece of legislation to remove his peerage.

Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey said on Monday morning that she understands Lord Mandelson has no plans to return to the Lords currently.

If he were to do so, he would have to give three months’ notice. He will have to make a decision when the next parliamentary session begins in May whether to apply for another leave of absence or return, or he could retire at any time.

Lord Mandelson appeared to give Jeffrey Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout to save the Euro.

He messaged Epstein about the bailout on the evening of 9 May 2010, before it was formally announced the following morning.

Emails have shown that internal discussions from the heart of Gordon Brown’s government were passed to Epstein in 2009.

Lord Mandelson, who was then-business secretary, wrote to Epstein in June 2009, describing an “interesting note that’s gone to the PM”, forwarding an assessment by Mr Brown’s adviser Nick Butler of business confidence and potential policy measures including an “asset sales plan”.

The sensitive email also contains tax policies and states that the business sector believed the Tories would win the next general election.

It calls on Mr Brown’s government to develop an active financial policy by selling off “saleable assets” to the private sector to relieve debt.

This would allow Labour to go into the election with a pledge not to make any further increases to corporate or top rate income taxes.

Epstein responded by asking “what salable (sic) assets”, with a reply from a redacted email address saying “land, property I guess”.

The Government has said it is ready to “provide whatever support and assistance the police need” after the Metropolitan Police received reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office.

The force said it had received the reports following the release of another tranche of documents relating to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

A Government spokesperson said: “It is rightly for the police to determine whether to investigate and the government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need.”