Who is Peter Mandelson?

Who is Peter Mandelson?24 February 2026ReutersLord Mandelson is under criminal investigation over allegations that, while he was a minister, he had passed market-sensitive government information to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.The former Labour minister was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday and later released on bail, pending further investigation.Lord Mandelson was sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US last year over his ties to Epstein.The former Labour spin doctor has been a high profile figure in British politics for decades.Here's an overview of his life and career in politics.What was his role in Labour?PA MediaLord Mandelson - picture here with Tony Blair in 2001 - was a key figure in his governmentLord Mandelson started working for Labour in the 1980s and has been a central figure in the party for decades.He played a key role in the New Labour movement, which saw Sir Tony Blair win a landslide election victory in 1997.The MP for Hartlepool held a number of ministerial roles but was twice forced to resign.His first resignation was in 1998, when it was revealed he had received a secret loan of £373,000 from his ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson.Less than a year later he was back in government as Northern Ireland secretary, before being forced to quit in 2001 over allegations of misconduct related to a passport application for the Hinduja brothers. An inquiry later cleared him of wrongdoing.After spending four years as EU trade commissioner he made another shock comeback, when then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed him as business secretary and gave him a place in the House of Lords.Why was he sacked as US ambassador?ReutersLord Mandelson was the UK's ambassador to the US for less than a yearPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appointed the Labour veteran as the UK's ambassador in Washington in December 2024.It was hoped his contacts across business and politics, as well as his ability to charm, would help him to develop a strong relationship with the incoming Trump administration.Lord Mandelson's friendship with Epstein - and the fact he continued his relationship with the financier after he was convicted - was known at the time of the appointment.However, the peer was sacked from the role last September, after Downing Street said new information about the depth of this relationship had emerged - including emails showing he sent supportive messages to Epstein as he faced charges for sex offences in 2008. Why is he back in the news?US Department of JusticeA photo of Epstein and Lord Mandelson on a yacht was among the documents released by the US Department of JusticeThe latest tranche of documents released as part of the Epstein Files unearthed new information about the convicted sex offender's contact with Lord Mandelson.It included emails showing Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson's partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009. There is no suggestion Da Silva was involved in any wrongdoing.The release sparked Lord Mandelson's resignation from the Labour Party after more than four decades, while he has also stepped down from the House of Lords.It also included emails which appear to suggest he forwarded on market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary under Brown in 2009.The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office. Lord Mandelson has not commented on the emails but the GREE understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.He has previously expressed his regret at continuing his relationship with Epstein after his conviction and apologised to his victims.What do emails between Mandelson and Epstein say?'Finally got him to go today': Mandelson's emails to Epstein on Gordon BrownWho is in the Epstein files?Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.Jeffrey Epstein

Who is Peter Mandelson?

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