UK police say an email sent by former Labour minister Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein about a major eurozone bailout is now under review as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley confirmed the message is being examined for possible wrongdoing.
The email, sent in May 2010 while Mandelson was in government, referenced a €500 billion bailout being prepared by European leaders during the financial crisis. Authorities say it may raise legal concerns, though no charges have been filed, reports Financial Times.
Rowley told ABC News the communication “represented a ‘potential criminal offence’” and said investigators are working to determine whether any laws were broken. Mandelson was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released on bail. He is no longer on bail but remains under investigation.
The email surfaced in documents released by the US Department of Justice tied to Epstein. In the exchange, Epstein asked Mandelson whether reports of the bailout were accurate. Mandelson responded: “Sd [sic] be announced tonight.” The following day, European governments finalized a deal after extended negotiations aimed at stabilizing the euro.
Mandelson has denied any criminal wrongdoing and said he never acted for personal gain. It wasn't clear if prosecutors will pursue charges.
Rowley said access to additional US-held evidence will be key. “Of course, there’s a big body of that evidence . . . in the United States in all those files and at some stage we’re going to need the unredacted evidence,” he said. “We need the original copy and where did it come from and that’s going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases.”
Separately, police are reviewing allegations involving former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Rowley said officers are assessing a “whole range of sexual allegations” to determine if they warrant a formal investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing.
Authorities also confirmed that Thames Valley Police is examining additional documents allegedly shared with Epstein. No charges have been brought in those matters either.
Epstein, a New York financier and convicted sex offender, died in custody in 2019 under suspicious cirucmstances while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The email, sent in May 2010 while Mandelson was in government, referenced a €500 billion bailout being prepared by European leaders during the financial crisis. Authorities say it may raise legal concerns, though no charges have been filed, reports Financial Times.
Rowley told ABC News the communication “represented a ‘potential criminal offence’” and said investigators are working to determine whether any laws were broken. Mandelson was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released on bail. He is no longer on bail but remains under investigation.
The email surfaced in documents released by the US Department of Justice tied to Epstein. In the exchange, Epstein asked Mandelson whether reports of the bailout were accurate. Mandelson responded: “Sd [sic] be announced tonight.” The following day, European governments finalized a deal after extended negotiations aimed at stabilizing the euro.
Mandelson has denied any criminal wrongdoing and said he never acted for personal gain. It wasn't clear if prosecutors will pursue charges.
Rowley said access to additional US-held evidence will be key. “Of course, there’s a big body of that evidence . . . in the United States in all those files and at some stage we’re going to need the unredacted evidence,” he said. “We need the original copy and where did it come from and that’s going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases.”
Separately, police are reviewing allegations involving former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Rowley said officers are assessing a “whole range of sexual allegations” to determine if they warrant a formal investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing.
Authorities also confirmed that Thames Valley Police is examining additional documents allegedly shared with Epstein. No charges have been brought in those matters either.
Epstein, a New York financier and convicted sex offender, died in custody in 2019 under suspicious cirucmstances while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
