The case of Peter Mandelson and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is not merely a matter of violations, but comprises a palimpsest through which moral and human values are questioned. The arrest of the former UK ambassador to the US by Scotland Yard on charges of misconduct in public office is not the event that opened Pandora’s box. Much has already happened since the US Department of Justice released the 3.5 million documents concerning the financier and his associates, yet the devil lies in the details. These are the details brought to light by a Telegraph report, according to which only 38 minutes passed before the former ambassador sent an email he had received, containing sensitive information about Gordon Brown’s government, to Epstein.
Read: Peter Mandelson released on bail: Investigations into Jeffrey Epstein connections ongoing
Peter Mandelson: When five became six
What should be most shocking about this information is the ease with which Peter Mandelson, who was released on bail after his arrest, sent the information to Epstein. These 38 minutes did not concern a bribe-taker who passed on information received by chance, but the UK’s Secretary of State for Business. The act dates to 2009, when Epstein had already been convicted of sexual offenses. The report would have ultimately reached Gordon Brown, making this an act of outright espionage. It was supposed to be sent to five people, but six received it, including Epstein. It was a report containing proposals for measures to address the economic crisis, including a plan for “selling public assets“. After the Atlanta banking scandal of 2008, the problem had become apparent. Additionally, it analyzed the issue of taxes on bankers’ bonuses. Even more significant was confirmation of the impending eurozone bailout plan for 2010, which was announced the next day. Mandelson served as Secretary of State for Business from October 2008 to May 2010. He was also European Commissioner for Trade from 2004 to 2008. His actions during that four-year period do not appear to have been investigated, or at least no evidence has been made public.
The document release and Mandelson’s involvement shocked Britain and were accompanied by two resignations of Keir Starmer’s advisors, Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan. The arrest of the 72-year-old Labour Party legend, who appears to have lost touch with shame—something highly valued in the United Kingdom—was a matter of time, especially after the operation that led to Prince Andrew’s arrest on similar charges. This occurred on Monday afternoon, February 23 (4:30 PM), with the Metropolitan Police conducting searches at two residences in Wiltshire and Camden under warrant. Mandelson, like Andrew, was released after nine hours, with a 96-hour window for potential re-charging. Scotland Yard announced that “we cannot provide further information at this stage to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”
Profit and loss
Peter Mandelson has thus shocked Britain, bringing a flush of color to its pale cheeks. He had emphasized before the evidence was made public that his actions were not criminal in any way. Furthermore, he claimed financial gain was not his motive. Regardless, the former ambassador received £75,000 sent by Epstein between 2003 and 2004. The resignations of McSweeney and Allan carried no weight with Keir Starmer’s government.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch stated that Mandelson’s arrest was a “defining moment for Starmer’s leadership.” MPs are also demanding transparency. They want detailed information about what led to his appointment as UK ambassador to the US. The government officially indicated that more information would be released in early March. The Prime Minister accused Mandelson of lying during his vetting process and hopes this will be proven by new evidence.
