Mandelson Referred to EU Anti-Fraud Agency Over Epstein Emails
The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Lord Mandelson, following the release of documents in the United States related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments surrounding this unfolding story.
– The request for an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was made last week after emails between Mandelson and Epstein were among the disclosed documents.
– Lord Mandelson served as the European Commission’s trade envoy from 2004 to 2008, later holding the position of UK business secretary.
– The emails, revealed in a recent US government release, suggest that the 72-year-old peer provided Epstein with insider government information, notably alerting him about a looming €500 billion (£438 billion) bailout intended to rescue the struggling euro in 2010.
– Following his arrest by UK police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the European Commission’s inquiry has gained traction. While Mandelson has not made a public comment regarding the allegations, it is believed that he maintains that his actions were not criminal and were not financially motivated.
– A Commission spokeswoman conveyed to the BBC that, during his tenure, Lord Mandelson was bound by a code of conduct: On this basis, and as new documents were published recently, we are looking into these and assessing whether there is any breach of the respective obligations, she stated.
– The inquiry was also prompted by the substantial volume of documents that had recently become available. The Commission had previously requested OLAF to investigate the matter on February 18.
– OLAF is tasked with examining serious misconduct among EU staff and members of its institutions.
– Lord Mandelson’s connection to Epstein led to his dismissal as the UK’s ambassador to the US last year, following revelations about their association. Epstein passed away in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
– In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later issued an apology to Epstein’s victims, acknowledging that Mandelson had misrepresented the extent of their relationship during the vetting process.
– The police investigation in the UK was triggered by the latest document releases, with Mandelson’s legal team criticizing the decision to arrest him post-searches at two of his properties, asserting that there is absolutely no truth to the claim he was planning to flee.
– Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that he had alerted the Metropolitan Police regarding concerns about Mandelson potentially being a flight risk.
– After his arrest, Lord Mandelson was released on bail early Tuesday morning, with the condition that he surrendered his passport.
As this investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly on the implications of Lord Mandelson’s actions during his political career, raising questions about conduct and accountability. The EU’s anti-fraud agency will play a pivotal role in determining the next steps in this complex case.