Ms Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts and his wife, Amanda Roberts, praised British authorities for “treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand” but slated the Americans
The family of Virginia Giuffre has praised British authorities for “treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand” following the arrest of Lord Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.
Lord Mandelson was still in contact with Epstein in late 2016, and emails appeared to suggest he warned the financier to stay away from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after allegations – which the former duke denies – that he sexually abused Ms Giuffre after she was trafficked by the US billionaire.
Ms Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts and his wife, Amanda Roberts, said: “As Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s family, we commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand.
“While these arrests aren’t for the underlying exploitation, they are a crucial step toward truth and accountability.
“The contrast with the continued inaction in the United States is undeniable. Survivors deserve transparency, swift investigation, and real justice, no matter who is implicated.”
Footage on Monday showed Lord Mandelson being led out of his house by a plainclothes police officer, and the Metropolitan Police later said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for an interview.
Two of his properties were previously searched by police in connection with the allegations, which surfaced following the US Department of Justice’s document dump related to Epstein last month.
Following the release of the Epstein files, Lord Mandelson said he has “no recollection” of receiving payments totalling 75,000 dollars (about £55,000) from Epstein between 2003 and 2004 as bank details in the documents indicated.
Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Lord Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the financial crisis.
In a statement, Mandelson’s solicitors at Mishcon de Reya said: “Peter Mandelson was arrested despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis. The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.
“There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPS for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest. Peter Mandelson’s overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name,”
Lord Mandelson’s arrest comes days after Andrew was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former prince was released under investigation.
Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.
The UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother, the Press Association understands.