A Metropolitan Police investigation into whether Lord Peter Mandelson shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein is facing delays, according to reports. The probe involves allegations that Mandelson, a former UK foreign and business secretary, passed market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving in the British government. The investigation has reportedly slowed because U.S. authorities have not yet provided access to unredacted documents from Epstein’s files.
The Metropolitan Police initially requested these documents through an informal information-sharing agreement between law enforcement agencies. Detectives later escalated this to a formal request for mutual legal assistance (MLA), a process that can take up to a year to complete. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the FBI have not yet responded to these specific requests, according to reports in The Telegraph.
Mandelson was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following the release of 3 million documents related to Epstein by the DoJ. These documents contained redactions intended to protect victims and preserve ongoing investigations. Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords in February and was removed from his post as U.S. ambassador last year, has denied any wrongdoing.
The scale of the evidence involves 3 million documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice. While the Met is attempting to build a case by interviewing former politicians and officials, the unredacted files are described as crucial to the progression of the probe. If the U.S. authorities do not provide the requested material, the investigation may be unable to proceed to a definitive conclusion regarding the allegations of misconduct in public office.
A DoJ spokesperson stated that the department has not refused to assist any jurisdiction but emphasized that both U.S. and UK authorities must follow established legal procedures for international evidence sharing. These procedures are designed to protect the integrity of ongoing matters and adhere to applicable laws. The timeline for the release of these documents remains uncertain, though the formal mutual legal assistance process is expected to last months or up to a year. The Metropolitan Police have not yet provided a deadline for the next phase of the investigation.