Police search two of Peter Mandelson's addresses as part of alleged misconduct investigation
Properties in London and Wiltshire are being searched by officer from the Met Police
Last updated 13 hours ago
Metropolitan Police officers are searching two addresses as part of their investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office.
It comes after the Met confirmed it was investigating the peer over allegations relating to files appearing to show him sharing government information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during the financial crash.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart, of the Metropolitan Police, said in a statement: "I can confirm that officers from the Met's Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.
"The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.
"He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing."
Searches in Wiltshire and central London
Two people believed to be police officers arrived outside Lord Mandelson's house near Regent's Park in central London on Friday afternoon.
One of them appeared to be wearing a small body camera. They knocked on the door and entered the house.
Documents released as part of the so-called Epstein files led to allegations that while Lord Mandelson was business secretary following the 2008 financial crisis, he passed on market-sensitive information to the sex offender.
Sir Keir Starmer has come under increasing pressure over his decision to appoint him as Britain's ambassador to the US after further details of Lord Mandelson's relationship with Epstein have been revealed in the files.
The extent of what was known about the relationship is expected to be revealed when documents relating to Lord Mandelson's appointment are published following a motion in Parliament demanding their release.
Publication of the full tranche of documents could take some time, as Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee must review any items that the Government wishes to withhold for national security reasons.
The Metropolitan Police has also asked for some documents to be withheld, claiming it could jeopardise its criminal investigation.