U.K.'s ex-ambassador to the U.S. arrested after Epstein files release

Britain's former ambassador to the U.S., has been arrested following weeks of revelations over his relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. BREAKING NEWSUpdated a minute agoEpstein filesEpstein filesU.K.'s ex-ambassador to the U.S. arrested after Epstein files releasePolice arrested Peter Mandelson amid an intensifying scandal over emails that appear to show him leaking sensitive political and market information to the convicted sex offender.Peter Mandelson, left, and Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photograph.Department of JusticeShareAdd NBC News to GoogleFeb. 23, 2026, 12:44 PM EST / Updated Feb. 23, 2026, 12:57 PM ESTBy Henry Austin and Camille BehnkeListen to this article with a free account00:0000:00LONDON — British police have arrested the country's former ambassador to the U.S. has following weeks of revelations over his relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Peter Mandelson was arrested amid an intensifying scandal after the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of documents, some of which appear to show him leaking sensitive political and market information to Epstein.London’s Metropolitan Police said in a news release that it was an update on an investigation into misconduct in public office offenses “relating to a former government minister.” Add NBC News to GoogleFormer Prince Andrew arrested in UK03:14“Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the force said in a statement, adding that he had been taken to be interviewed at a London police station. The statement did not name Mandelson, as is standard practice under British law.“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas,” it said, referring to a county around 100 miles to the west of London, and an area in the north of the U.K.'s capital. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. On Feb. 6, police searched two properties linked to Mandelson, who served as Britain's ambassador to the U.S. between February and September 2025. Days earlier, the longtime political grandee who had a reputation as a ruthless political fixer, had stepped down as a member of the House of Lords. Mandelson's arrest comes less than a week after the former Prince Andrew was himself arrested on the same charge. The royal was later released “under investigation,” meaning he was neither charged nor exonerated.Stripped of his royal titles and now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, he was later pictured as he was driven away from Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk, roughly 50 miles from the Sandringham Estate where he now lives.Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 on Thursday, the day of his arrest, has always denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleHenry AustinHenry Austin is a senior editor for NBC News Digital based in London.Camille BehnkeCamille Behnke is duty producer for NBC News based in London.