- Title: Mandelson story ‘unlikely to go away’, says analyst
- Date: 24th February 2026
- Summary: COLCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FEBRUARY 24, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLITICAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT SAVANTA, CHRIS HOPKINS, SAYING: “Labour fought their 2024 general election manifesto on being holier than thou, being a real antithesis to the sleaze and the scandal that had engulfed the Conservative Party for the last couple of years. And unfortunately,
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Analyst Arrest Epstein Mandelson Starmer UK
- Location: COLCHESTER AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: COLCHESTER AND LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: UK
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA009809924022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Stories about former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson are unlikely to go away anytime soon, according to Political Research Director at Savanta, Chris Hopkins, after he was released from police custody on Tuesday (February 24).
He was arrested in London on Monday (February 23) on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following revelations over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson, 72, was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain's diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with the convicted sex offender started to become clear.
Police earlier this month began a criminal investigation into Mandelson after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government passed on communications between the former ambassador and Epstein.
Mandelson, who this month resigned from Starmer's Labour Party and quit his position in parliament's upper chamber, has previously said he "very deeply" regretted his association with Epstein. But he has not commented publicly or responded to messages seeking comment on the latest revelations.
Starmer, who has faced calls to step down over Mandelson's appointment, faces further scrutiny after parliament ordered the release of documents relating to his vetting. A minister said on Monday that the first documents should be published in early March.
Starmer has said that Mandelson lied about the extent of his ties to Epstein during the vetting process.
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