British authorities are currently evaluating allegations of misconduct involving Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States, after claims emerged that he shared confidential government information with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile.

Members of significant UK political parties have called for an investigation into Mandelson, 72, who stepped down from the Labour Party on Sunday. This follows fresh allegations suggesting he accepted payments from Epstein about 20 years ago.

The Metropolitan Police in London have issued a statement confirming they are examining the accusations against Mandelson.

Commander Ella Marriott stated, “We are aware of the recent release of numerous court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice.”

“In light of this release and subsequent media coverage, the Met has received several reports concerning alleged misconduct in a public office. Each report will be carefully reviewed to determine whether they justify a criminal investigation,” she added.

“As with any case, should any new and pertinent information come to our attention, we will evaluate it and proceed with investigations as necessary.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who fired Mandelson from his ambassadorial job over earlier revelations about his Epstein ties, is now urging him to quit politics altogether and testify in the US about what he knew of the financier’s activities.

Starmer urged Mandelson on Monday to resign from his lifetime seat in the House of Lords _ the UK Parliament’s upper chamber – and to give up his noble title, Lord Mandelson.

If he does not voluntary quit, the alternative would be a lengthy process requiring Parliament to pass legislation.

New allegations over Epstein ties

The latest release of Epstein files includes hundreds of text and email messages exchanged between Mandelson and the financier, revealing the British politician’s warm relationship with the man he called “my best pal” in 2003.

Several documents seem to refer to payments from Epstein to Mandelson or his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. What appear to be bank statements from 2003 and 2004 suggest an Epstein account sent three payments totalling US$75,000 to accounts connected to Mandelson.

Mandelson has questioned the authenticity of the bank statements. In a letter to Labour resigning from the party, Mandelson said he had no recollection of receiving that money and would investigate.

The documents also include an email exchange from 2009 in which Mandelson, then a UK government minister, appeared to tell Epstein he would lobby other members of the government to reduce a tax on bankers’ bonuses.

Documents also suggest Mandelson sent details of sensitive UK government discussions to Epstein after the 2008 global financial crisis.

Starmer on Monday ordered the civil service to conduct an “urgent” review of all of Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein while he was in government.

Also among the files is a photo of Mandelson in a shirt and underwear, standing near an unidentified woman in a bathrobe.

Who is Peter Mandelson?

Mandelson, has been a major, if contentious, figure in the centre-left UK Labour Party for decades.

He was an architect of the party’s return to power in 1997 as centrist, modernising “New Labour” under prime minister Tony Blair.

Mandelson served in senior cabinet posts under Blair between 1997 and 2001, and under prime minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010. In between, he was the European Union’s trade commissioner.

Mandelson twice had to resign from government during the Blair administration over allegations of financial or ethical impropriety, acknowledging mistakes but denying wrongdoing.

He later returned to government, and was back on the political front line when Starmer named him to the key post of ambassador to Washington at the start of US President Donald Trump’s second term.

Mandelson’s trade expertise and comfort around the ultra-rich were considered major assets with the new US administration. He helped secure a trade deal last May that spared Britain some of the tariffs Trump has imposed on countries around the world.

But Starmer fired him last September after emails were published showing Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein continued even after the financier’s 2008 guilty plea.

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