The Metropolitan Police has said it will review reports into alleged misconduct in a public office after Lord Mandelson was accused of leaking sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, the force said it had received "a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office" following the release of millions of documents relating to Epstein last Friday. Mandelson features a number of times in the documents.
Their statement follows revelations that Lord Peter Mandelson emailed Epstein about persuading the then-prime minister Gordon Brown to resign.
In the emails, he also appeared to tell Epstein he would lobby ministers over a tax on bankers' bonuses in 2009 and confirmed an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.
Mr Brown himself has demanded an investigation into the “wholly unacceptable disclosure” of information to Epstein, while Nick Butler, the adviser who wrote the 2009 memo, called the leak a “disgusting breach of trust”.
Key Points
- Starmer says Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords
- Mandelson passed Epstein No 10 discussions on financial crisis addressed to Gordon Brown
- Mandelson emailed Epstein about persuading Brown to resign as prime minister
- Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party over Epstein links
- Congress to summon Mandelson to testify in Washington
- Government to modernise disciplinary procedure for peers to remove Mandelson
Watch: Epstein survivors hold up childhood photos from when they were abused
04:00 , Bryony GoochCould Lord Mandelson’s peerage be revoked?
03:00 , Bryony GoochOur political reporter, Athena Stavrou, shares:
Although Lord Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday, it is unlikely his peerage will be revoked.
The former US ambassador became a Labour Peer in 2008, but is currently on a leave of absence.
There have been calls in recent days to remove him from the House of Lords altogether, in light of the fresh claims that emerged over the weekend.
But to do so would require a complicated process, in which the government would have to propose and pass a specific piece of legislation to remove his peerage.
Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey said on Monday morning that she understands Lord Mandelson has no plans to return to the Lords currently.
If he were to do so, he would have to give three months’ notice. He will have to make a decision when the next parliamentary session begins in May whether to apply for another leave of absence or return, or he could retire at any time.
Mandelson gave Epstein advanced notice of a €500bn bail out to save the Euro
02:00 , Bryony GoochLord Mandelson appeared to give Jeffrey Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout to save the Euro.
He messaged Epstein about the bailout on the evening of 9 May 2010, before it was formally announced the following morning.
Recap: What was in the No10 email Mandelson sent to Epstein?
01:00 , Holly EvansEmails have shown that internal discussions from the heart of Gordon Brown’s government were passed to Epstein in 2009.
Lord Mandelson, who was then-business secretary, wrote to Epstein in June 2009, describing an “interesting note that’s gone to the PM”, forwarding an assessment by Mr Brown’s adviser Nick Butler of business confidence and potential policy measures including an “asset sales plan”.
The sensitive email also contains tax policies and states that the business sector believed the Tories would win the next general election.
It calls on Mr Brown’s government to develop an active financial policy by selling off “saleable assets” to the private sector to relieve debt.
This would allow Labour to go into the election with a pledge not to make any further increases to corporate or top rate income taxes.
Epstein responded by asking “what salable (sic) assets”, with a reply from a redacted email address saying “land, property I guess”.
Editorial: Lord Mandelson must hand in his title and face up to Congress
00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Lord Mandelson must hand in his title and face up to Congress
Pictured: Epstein and Mandelson together in latest release
23:00 , Bryony Gooch
Government ready to 'provide support to police'
22:58 , Bryony GoochThe Government has said it is ready to “provide whatever support and assistance the police need” after the Metropolitan Police received reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office.
The force said it had received the reports following the release of another tranche of documents relating to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A Government spokesperson said: “It is rightly for the police to determine whether to investigate and the government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need.”
Watch: Jeffrey Epstein chases women around his island home and dances in new files release
22:00 , Bryony GoochMandelson breaks silence about husband's money from Epstein
21:40 , Bryony GoochLord Mandelson has explained why his husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva accepted money from Jeffrey Epstein to fund an osteopathy course.
Referring to the disgraced financier as the “bubonic plague”, he said “Epstein told Reinaldo that he had an educational foundation which gave bursaries or scholarships and offered one for an osteopathy course. I saw this as kindness, nothing more. It was a great help to Reinaldo and I thanked him.
“In retrospect, it was clearly a lapse in our collective judgment for Reinaldo to accept this offer. At the time it was not a consequential decision.”
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Reinaldo.
Mandelson describes attention from Epstein files as like 'drive-by shooting'
21:20 , Bryony GoochIn a new interview released by The Times, Lord Mandelson has compared losing his ambassadorship due to the Jeffrey Epstein files to a “drive-by shooting”.
“It was like a 5.30am drive-by shooting,” he told Katy Balls. “I was at the edge of something. Suddenly, I was put at the centre of it — as a result of historical emails of which I have no memory and no record.”
“It felt like being killed without actually dying,” he added, looking back at what he described as a “life-changing crisis”.
Sean O'Grady: Of course Peter Mandelson deserves to be thrown out of the Lords
21:00 , Bryony Gooch
Quitting Labour isn’t enough – Peter Mandelson deserves to be thrown out of the Lords
Trump claims he was never 'friendly' with Epstein
20:58 , Daniel KeaneUS president Donald Trump has said he was “never friendly” with Jeffrey Epstein.
In a social media post, the US president wrote: “So much for the Radical Left’s hope against hope, some of whom I’ll be suing.
"Additionally, unlike so many people that like to 'talk' trash, I never went to the infested Epstein island", he added.
Almost six thousand entries referencing Mandelson in Epstein library
20:00 , Bryony GoochLord Peter Mandelson has almost six thousand entries referring to him in the Epstein library, a search by The Independent has found.
The Justice Department released more than 3 million pages of files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein on Friday.
A search on the Department’s dedicated search tool of the Full Epstein Library shows 5,937 results for the term “Mandelson”, many of which referring to correspondence between the disgraced financier and the Lord.
Epstein files reveal paedophile financier’s desperate attempts to court Vladimir Putin
19:30 , Bryony Gooch
Epstein files reveal paedophile financier’s desperate attempts to court Putin
Met to review reports on 'misconduct in public office' surrounding Epstein files release
19:26 , James ReynoldsThe Metropolitan Police has said it will review reports into alleged misconduct in public office in light of the newly released Epstein files.
Commander Ella Marriott, of the Metropolitan Police, said on Monday: “We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice.
“Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.
"As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate."
Watch: Government moves to toughen Lords disciplinary procedures after Epstein-Mandelson revelations
19:00 , Bryony GoochEmily Thornberry calls for Mandelson to be investigated by police
18:30 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent, reports:
Senior Labour backbencher Emily Thornberry has called for Lord Mandelson to be investigated by the police over suggestions he leaked internal government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.
She told the Commons: "These files seem to show that PM was given £50,000 by a notorious paedophile and a few years later he sent on market sensitive information to Epstein, who worked for JP Morgan about market bailouts, the prime minister's resignation, telling them that they should 'mildly threaten' the chancellor of the Exchequer and then told him about matters of national security.
"Surely this is not a matter of whether Peter Mandelson should be in the House of Lords, this is a matter of whether the police should be involved?"
Responding, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones said it is a "matter for the prosecution services and the police".
But he said Ms Thornberry is "right that each individual issue is wholly unacceptable and cumulatively it is also unacceptable".
"The undeclared exchange of funds, the passing on of government information, let alone the fact that those exchanges were to a convicted paedophile are wholly unconscionable", Mr Jones said, adding: "And the house will know that if any of those activities were to take place today, ministers would be swiftly relieved of their duties and could be...removed from their constituencies too."
Mandelson's assurances before his ambassadorial appointment were untrue, says Govt
18:15 , Bryony GoochAssurances made by Lord Peter Mandelson before he was appointed ambassador to the US were untrue, the Government have said.
Responding to shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart, Mr Jones said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear that the declarations of interest that were put forward by Peter Mandelson were not wholly truthful.
“When it became clear from the release of information that had not been the case, the Prime Minister moved swiftly to remove Peter Mandelson as the ambassador to the United States.”
He said further investigations were now taking place by the Cabinet Secretary into the exchange of information on the sale of RBS assets to JP Morgan.
He said: “Evidently now that more documents have become available to the public and to the Government, further investigations are now taking place.”
How could Lord Mandelson lose his peerage?
18:00 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said he “believes that Peter Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords or use the title”.
“However, the Prime Minister does not have the power to remove it,” the spokesman added.
Lord Mandelson, who is on a leave of absence from the upper chamber, could resign voluntarily.
Under current arrangements, a new law would be required to remove a peerage, something that last happened more than 100 years ago to deal with members of the nobility who sided with the Germans in the First World War.
There is no precedent for using a new law to remove a specific person from the Lords.
Sir Keir urged the Lords to work with the Government to modernise disciplinary procedures to make it easier to remove disgraced peers.
Epstein celebrated Brexit with Peter Thiel
17:42 , Bryony GoochJeffrey Epstein sent Palantir boss Peter Thiel emails celebrating Brexit, which he called a “return to tribalism” and “just the beginning”.
Palantir is a US-data analytics firm that has a £330 million, seven-year contract to run the NHS England Federated Data Platform.
University to remove George Mitchell’s name from peace centre over Epstein links
17:34 , Bryony GoochQueen’s University Belfast is to remove the name of one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement from a peace centre because of his links with the disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A bust of former US senator George Mitchell will also be removed from the university grounds.
Mr Mitchell chaired the negotiations which led to the 1998 peace agreement.
The former senator has a long-standing association with the university where he was chancellor from 1999 to 2009.
A Queen’s spokesperson said: “Queen’s University Belfast has taken the decision to remove the name of its former chancellor, Senator George J Mitchell, from the Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, and to remove the bust commemorating him from the University campus.
“This decision follows the emergence of new information contained in the Epstein files released on Friday, which include references to Senator Mitchell.
“While no findings of wrongdoing by senator Mitchell have been made, the university has concluded that, in light of this material, and mindful of the experiences of victims and survivors, it is no longer appropriate for its institutional spaces and entities to continue to bear his name.
“As a civic institution with a global reputation for leadership in peace, reconciliation, and justice, Queen’s University Belfast must ensure that its honours and symbols reflect the highest standards consistent with its values and responsibilities.”
Cross party support for legislation to strip Mandelson of his title
17:28 , Bryony GoochPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
Veteran leftwing Labour MP Andy McDonald has just agreed with Tory MP Simon Hoare “that MPs across this House would be minded to support legislation” to strip Mandelson of his peerage.
It comes amid growing anger in the Commons about the revelations regarding the peer who resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday night.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones has stuck to the line that he wants legislation to make it easier to sack all peers who bring the Lords into disrepute rather than a specific Bill about Mandelson.
He noted “there is a queue” pointing out that Tory figures like Baroness Mone, who has been facing questions over her business dealings during the pandemic, to be removed.
Government to modernise disciplinary procedure for peers to remove Mandelson
17:23 , Bryony GoochThe Government will seek to modernise the disciplinary procedures for peers so they can be removed for bringing the House of Lords into disrepute, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told MPs following fresh revelations about Lord Mandelson’s links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Darren Jones insists Gordon Brown’s concerns were taken seriously
17:09 , Bryony GoochPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
The government is trying to deal with the further embarrassment caused by Gordon Brown revealing he asked for an investigation into Peter Mandelson’s leaks in September.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones corrected his Tory shadow Alex Burghart’s assertion that the request for an investigation made by Mr Brown was ignored.
But he has confirmed that nothing was found even though we now know that Lord Mandelson did indeed leak sensitive and confidential material to Jeffrey Epstein on market sensitive information regarding the banking crisis bailout and trying to persuade Mr Brown to resign as PM.
A further briefing has also insisted that Mr Brown’s concerns were taken seriously.A source confirmed that the Cabinet Secretary responded to Mr Brown’s letter on the 19 November noting that searches of official records did not find any files linking Mr Epstein to the sale of Royal Bank of Scotland assets to JP Morgan.
They added that following the disclosure of further information, the PM this morning asked the Cabinet Secretary to review all available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a government minister, and to report back to him as a matter of urgency.
Recap: Police must investigate Peter Mandelson after Epstein file revelations – SNP
17:03 , Bryony GoochThe Metropolitan Police must investigate whether there is evidence of criminality in the actions of Lord Peter Mandelson, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said.
Stephen Flynn has written to to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley calling for an investigation into potential misconduct in public office.
He said there are “serious allegations” in the Epstein files about sensitive state information being passed between Lord Mandelson and the convicted paedophile.
Mr Flynn said the files “also suggest that Mandelson and his family may also have been in receipt of significant amounts of money from Epstein”.
Mandelson emailed Epstein about persuading Brown to resign as prime minister
16:43 , Bryony GoochLord Mandelson emailed Jeffrey Epstein in reference to persuading Gordon Brown to resign as prime minister in 2010.
“Finally got him to go today,” he wrote to the convicted paedophile.
Brown resigned the following day.
He also appeared to refer to secret tunnels connecting No 10 and the Ministry of Defence.
Starmer ducks answering on Mandelson himself
16:22 , Bryony GoochPolitical editor David Maddox reports:
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has just challenged the prime minister in the Commons to give a public apology for appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.
He also called on Keir Starmer to support a police investigation into the peer.
But Sir Keir has used parliamentary protocol to avoid the subject.His statement was on the visit to China so he focussed his answer on the SNP not welcoming a reduction in tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Instead MPs will have to wait for Darren Jones, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to provide answers on Mandelson.
The PM clearly does not want to address this embarrassing subject personally.
Mandelson discusses 'tastey models and dancing' with Epstein
16:21 , Bryony GoochEmails between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein from May 2013 show them discussing “tastey models and dancing” at an upcoming “rave” in St Petersburg.
Starmer changed stance after 'more came to light' on Mandelson, says minister
15:52 , Holly EvansEducation secretary Bridget Phillipson has insisted that the prime minister’s change of heart over Lord Mandelson came because of new information.
Responding on Radio 5 Live to questions over why Sir Keir Starmer was taking a tougher line, Ms Phillipson insisted that new information was now available.
She said: “More did come to light, you know, with the kind of release of further papers and correspondence. More has come to life subsequently and more has come to light that is of an even more serious nature than anyone would have anticipated.
“That's also true around what we've seen from some of the emails connected to his role as a minister and that's why I think the Prime Minister is absolutely right to ask the Cabinet Secretary to look into this, to understand what was going on in terms of those exchanges during the time that Peter Mandelson was a Labour Minister.”
Mandelson appears to organise No10 trip for Epstein's goddaughter
15:46 , Holly EvansThe latest tranche of emails also appear to show that Lord Mandelson agreed to organise a tour of No10 Downing Street for Epstein’s 15-year-old goddaughter.
The disgraced financier wrote: “The most important person to me (next to you of course) is my goddaughter that will be in london on wed and thurs of next week, what can we do to make it a very special trip, i would really appreciate it.”
After Mandelson asked how old, Epstein said that she was 15 and would be visiting with her parents. He continued: “house of lords, number 10...just for ten minutes, it would mean a lot to me”.
“Fine on all,” Mandelson replies.
The emails were sent on July 3, 2009, when Gordon Brown was prime minister and at a time when Epstein was in prison in Florida serving a 13-month sentence for the solicitation of a minor.
Downing Street is not open to the public and tourists cannot book a tour inside.
Mandelson leaking memo is a 'disgusting breach of trust', says former advisor
15:35 , Holly EvansGordon Brown’s former senior policy advisor has the alleged leaking of a memo by Lord Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein was a “disgusting breach of trust”.
Nick Butler was the author of a 2009 memo to the prime minister which contained sensitive information on economic policy after the financial crash.
The latest release of documents from the U.S. Department of Justice appears to show that Mandelson, who was business secretary at the time, forwarded the email to Epstein.
“I had absolutely no idea that Peter was sending emails I had written to anyone outside of government,” Mr Butler told The Times.
“We — that is all the people included on this email and many others — worked on the basis of trust, which allowed us to float ideas. I am disgusted by the breach of trust, presumably intended to give Epstein the chance to make money.”
He added: “I had no idea about Peter’s link to Epstein at that time and would never have imagined that as a senior minister and first secretary of state he would do anything like this.”
Anas Sarwar challenged to ‘disclose all correspondence’ with Lord Mandelson
15:23 , Holly EvansAnas Sarwar is facing calls to disclose all his private communications with Lord Peter Mandelson – with the SNP issuing the challenge after the Scottish Labour leader said it was right the former UK Government minister had quit the party.
Mr Sarwar said people would be “horrified” by information about Lord Mandelson contained in the latest batch of files on paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He insisted it was “right” Lord Mandelson had left the Labour Party but said it was a matter for “the House of Lords and for the Houses of Parliament” whether he should remain as a member of the Lords.
However, in the wake of Lord Mandelson’s resignation from Labour on Sunday night – a decision he made to prevent “further embarrassment” following the latest revelations about his friendship with Epstein – SNP Westminster deputy leader Pete Wishart challenged Mr Sarwar to come clean over his contacts with the peer.
He told the Scottish Labour leader: “There is no need to wait for the investigation given your deep and sustained friendship with Lord Peter Mandelson.
“It is in interests of the Scottish public and for the integrity of Scottish public office that you disclose all correspondence shared between yourself and Lord Peter Mandelson, including all emails and private messages.”
Starmer should have investigated Mandelson before appointing him as US ambassador, Labour MPs say
15:12 , Athena StavrouLabour MPs have criticised Sir Keir Starmer for not taking action on Lord Peter Mandelson before he was appointed as US ambassador.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott questioned the Labour leader’s judgment following his call on Monday for an investigation into Lord Mandelson.
She wrote on X: “Surely the time for ordering "an urgent investigation into Mandelson" was when his whole career had been dogged by sleaze and before appointing him as Ambassador?”
Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome said Mandelson’s associated with Epstein “has been long known”.
She wrote on social media: “He should have been expelled from the Labour Party and stripped of his peerage many years ago. He never should have been appointed US ambassador.”
She added: “You can’t talk from both sides of your mouth when it comes to child sexual abuse. Naive at best, morally bankrupt at worst.”
Epstein joked about Mandelson marrying Princess Beatrice
15:02 , Holly EvansJeffrey Epstein joked that Lord Mandelson could marry Princess Beatrice, meaning the “queen would have a queen as a grandson”.
At the time, the eldest daughter of Andrew-Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson was 21 years old.
In an apparent email exchange on 5 October 2009, Epstein told Mandelson he could "marry princess beatrice" to which the Labour peer ppears to have replied: "Remember, I am already her Lord President".
In response, Epstein wrote: "Does that make it incest, how exciting".
Mandelson is openly gay and was in a long-term relationship with Reinaldo Avila da Silva, who is now his husband.
Gordon Brown calls for investigation into 'wholly unacceptable disclosure' of documents to Epstein
14:54 , Holly EvansResponding to news that Lord Peter Mandelson leaked confidential and privileged information while he served as business secretary during Gordon Brown’s premiership, Mr Brown says: “I have today asked the cabinet secretary to investigate the disclosure of confidential and market sensitive information from the then Business Department during the global financial crisis.
“On September 10 last year, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary to ask him to investigate the veracity of information contained in the Epstein papers about the sale of assets arising from the banking collapse and communications about them between Lord Mandelson and Mr Epstein.
“That enquiry led to a response on November 19 that no departmental record could be found of any information or communication from Lord Mandelson to Mr Epstein on these issues.
“Given the shocking new information that has come to light in the latest tranche of Epstein papers, including information about the transfer to Mr Epstein of at least one highly sensitive government document as well as other highly confidential information, I have now written to ask for a wider and more intensive enquiry to take place into the wholly unacceptable disclosure of government papers and information during the period when the country was battling the global financial crisis.
“Given the public interest in this, I have asked that the results of the enquiry be published and done so as soon as possible.”
Starmer's chief secretary to address Commons
14:49 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary will make a statement to the Commons later today on the latest release of the Epstein files.
Senior cabinet minister Darren Jones is expected to deliver his comments this afternoon, at around 4pm.
Calls for police to investigate Mandelson
14:30 , Holly EvansFollowing allegations that Lord Mandelson leaked confidential Downing Street documents to Jeffrey Epstein, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has called on the police to investigate.
He said: "The Epstein files suggest Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to a convicted sex offender while serving as a minister, and even suggested a US bank should threaten the Government to lower its tax bill.
“These allegations are incredibly serious, it is now only right that the police investigate Peter Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office."
Zack Polanski says 'another Labour manifesto promise broken'
14:20 , Holly EvansGreen Party leader Zack Polanski has accused Labour of breaking its manifesto, which included a commitment to "[strengthen] circumstances in which disgraced members can be removed".
In a post shared on X, he attached a photo of Labour's 2024 manifesto, which says the party will "ensure all peers meet the high standards the public expect of them".
"Blink and you miss it - another Labour manifesto promise broken," Polanski wrote.
Blink and you miss it - another Labour manifesto promise broken. pic.twitter.com/olYPDXvDf7
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) February 2, 2026
What was in the No10 email Mandelson sent to Epstein?
14:06 , Holly EvansEmails have shown that internal discussions from the heart of Gordon Brown’s government were passed to Epstein in 2009.
Lord Mandelson, who was then-business secretary, wrote to Epstein in June 2009, describing an “interesting note that’s gone to the PM”, forwarding an assessment by Mr Brown’s adviser Nick Butler of business confidence and potential policy measures including an “asset sales plan”.
The sensitive email also contains tax policies and states that the business sector believed the Tories would win the next general election.
It calls on Mr Brown’s government to develop an active financial policy by selling off “saleable assets” to the private sector to relieve debt.
This would allow Labour to go into the election with a pledge not to make any further increases to corporate or top rate income taxes.
Epstein responded by asking “what salable (sic) assets”, with a reply from a redacted email address saying “land, property I guess”.
Analysis: Why has Starmer changed his tune on Mandelson in the last 24 hours?
13:52 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes....
As revelation after revelation about Lord Mandelson and his friend the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein emerge, Labour has gone into full damage limitation mode.
The announcement that the peer was already subject to disciplinary action within the party and confirmation that Sir Keir Starmer does not think he should be in the Lords or use his title have all come out this morning.
But over the weekend it was a different story.
On Sunday, Labour sources briefed that on background re Mandelson was on leave of absence from the House of Lords at the moment, so not currently on the whip.
They noted that peers on leave of absence have to give three months notice to the House authorities to apply to return to the Lords.
Crucially, they added that membership of Labour whip for someone on leave of absence “only becomes an issue when or if they apply to return to the House.”
This was a very different tone and messaging from the ones this morning. But what has changed?
The revelation Mandelson passed on a confidential email from former PM Gordon Brown to Epstein? The picture of Mandelson in his underpants?
We already knew that Mandelson had attempted to help Epstein fight his convictions and was a close friend of his.
The issue of alleged financial payments to Madelson was around yesterday when the original briefing was given.
It appears at some point overnight, Sir Keir decided he had enough of the peer and ordered a change of messaging.
Starmer asks for review of all information regarding Epstein and Mandelson
13:31 , Holly EvansDowning Street said the prime minister has asked cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald to review “all available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a government minister”.
Asked what prompted the prime minister’s action, the spokesman said it was “a response to the totality of the new information over the weekend” since the release of the latest Epstein papers.
“I’m not talking about specific pieces of material that emerged, but the Prime Minister has asked for an urgent review, and that’s why the Cabinet Secretary has been asked to look at all available information regarding Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein during his period as a government minister.”
Sarwar: Right that Mandelson has quit Labour
13:17 , Daniel HaygarthScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said it is “right” that Lord Peter Mandelson has quit the party over his links with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
But he refused to say earlier on Monday if the former Labour government minister, who was stripped of his role as ambassador to the US because of relationship with Epstein, should remain in the House of Lords.
“I think this is a matter now for the House of Lords and for the Houses of Parliament around who they think merits being in the Parliament or not,” Mr Sarwar said.
“My understanding is this would require legislation, rather than a simple political decision.
“But I think the right decision has been made for him to leave the Labour Party.”
Starmer urges Lords to make it easier to remove disgraced peers
13:11 , Daniel HaygarthSir Keir urged the Lords to work with the government to modernise disciplinary procedures to make it easier to remove disgraced peers.
Under the current arrangements, a new law would be required to remove a peerage, something that last happened more than 100 years ago to deal with members of the nobility who sided with the Germans in the First World War.
Downing Street said the prime minister has also asked cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald to review “all available information regarding Peter Mandelson’s contacts with Jeffrey Epstein during his period as a government minister”.
Lord Mandelson resigned his Labour membership late on Sunday night and the party has said he was facing disciplinary action.
Starmer says Mandelson should not be a member of the House of Lords
12:48 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer believes Lord Mandelson “should not be a member of the House of Lords”, according to Downing Street.
He has also asked the cabinet secretary to “urgently” review all available information on contact between the former minister and Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson has been ousted from Labour – but Starmer hasn’t heard the end of it
12:42 , Dan HaygarthThe scandal has echoes of the Christopher Pincher affair – which finished off Boris Johnson, writes political editor David Maddox.
Mandelson has been ousted from Labour – but Starmer hasn’t heard the end of it
Former government officials ‘shocked’ by revelation Mandelson leaked No 10 emails
12:30 , Dan HaygarthThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Government figures in office at the time Lord Peter Mandelson appeared to have leaked internal No 10 emails to Jeffrey Epstein are “shocked” by the revelation.
Emails released in the latest so-called Epstein files include emails sent to then-prime minister Gordon Brown, that had been forwarded on to the disgraced financier by Lord Mandelson.
Journalist Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, said he had spoken to people in government at the time who he said are “shocked at this”.
“I think everyone in government would say that is an improper thing to do,” he told Times Radio.
He added: “I think we're probably just scratching the surface of what's in there.”
Why Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party
12:21 , Dan Haygarth
Lord Peter Mandelson resigned his membership of the Labour Party to avoid causing “further embarrassment” after a weekend of further revelations over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
On Sunday evening, Lord Mandelson wrote to Labour’s general secretary to resign from the party, saying: “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this.
“Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.
“While doing this I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.”
He added: “I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now. I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the Labour Party and in taking my decision, I believe I am acting in its best interests.”
Speaking at the weekend, Lord Mandelson had said he had no recollection of receiving the alleged payments from Epstein, and said he did not know if the documents were genuine. From the documents, it is unclear if the payments made it to any named accounts.
Read the full article here: Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour Party to avoid ‘further embarrassment’ over Epstein links
Labour says Mandelson facing possible disciplinary action ahead of resignation
12:07 , Holly EvansLabour revealed Lord Mandelson was facing possible disciplinary action before his resignation late on Sunday night.
A party spokesman said: “It is right that Peter Mandelson is no longer a member of the Labour Party. Disciplinary action was under way prior to his resignation.
“Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes destroyed the lives of so many women and girls, and our thoughts remain with his victims.”
