The Mandelson Epstein investigation collapse is now a live risk, with Scotland Yard detectives unable to access unredacted files from US authorities that are understood to be central to the probe, according to reports.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating claims that Lord Peter Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. Neither the Department of Justice (DoJ) nor the FBI has responded to requests from the Met for unredacted documents, according to The Guardian.
From informal request to formal legal process
Scotland Yard initially sought access to the documents under an informal information-sharing agreement between law enforcement agencies. That request was later escalated to a formal mutual legal assistance (MLA) application, a process that can take up to a year to complete and carries no guarantee the DoJ will release the material.
Mandelson, 72, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 23 February, and his properties were searched, The Independent reported. The arrest came after the DoJ released 3 million documents relating to the late billionaire on 30 January, though portions of those files were redacted to protect victims and to avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations.
The arrest also followed a tip-off from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, that Mandelson could flee to the British Virgin Islands. He has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Mandelson Epstein investigation collapse fears mount
Concern that the Mandelson Epstein investigation collapse could become a reality has grown as the unredacted files remain out of reach. Although investigators are said to hold out hope that a sufficient case may be built by interviewing former politicians and officials, the US documents are understood to be crucial to the probe.
Reports in March suggested that Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was due to press US authorities on the matter during a visit to Washington, though the impasse has continued since.
There are suggestions that the Trump administration is hesitant to hand over material that could damage the president’s reputation or risk future scandals. US officials, however, have insisted they are following established legal procedures.
A DoJ spokesman told the Telegraph: ‘The department of justice has not refused to assist any jurisdiction investigating potential criminal conduct related to Jeffrey Epstein. Both US and UK authorities follow established and legally required procedures for sharing information and evidence, and those processes ensure that any co-operation adheres to applicable laws that govern international evidence sharing and protects the integrity of ongoing matters.’
OLAF opens separate inquiry
Beyond the Metropolitan Police investigation, the Mandelson Epstein probe has drawn scrutiny at a European level. The Guardian reported that the EU’s anti-fraud office, OLAF, has confirmed it has opened a separate investigation into Mandelson.
OLAF’s involvement adds a further dimension to the scrutiny facing the Labour grandee, who was sacked from his post as ambassador to the United States last year and resigned from the House of Lords in February.
The Metropolitan Police was approached for comment.
