Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday and quizzed by police over allegations he passed on sensitive documents to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was Business Secretary
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle revealed that he tipped off Scotland Yard about fears Peter Mandelson was a flight risk.
The Labour grandee was arrested on Monday and quizzed by police over allegations he passed on sensitive documents to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was Business Secretary.
Lord Mandelson, who was released on bail pending investigation on Tuesday, lashed out at the Metropolitan Police through his lawyers, saying he was hauled in due to “baseless” claims he was planning to flee to the British Virgin Islands.
It emerged that Sir Lindsay shared information with police that he picked up while on a visit to the British overseas territory during Parliamentary recess last week.
Initial reports had suggested the tip came from Lord Forsyth, the Speaker of the House of Lords, who dismissed the suggestion he was involved as “entirely false and without foundation”.
READ MORE: Peter Mandelson’s lawyers lash out at claims he was fleeing the countryREAD MORE: MPs back release of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor files as ex-prince branded ‘rude’
Speaking in the Commons today, Sir Lindsay said: “Members will be aware of comments in the media regarding the arrest of Lord Mandelson. To prevent any inaccurate speculation I’d like to confirm that, upon receipt of information, that I felt it was relevant I pass this on to the Metropolitan Police in good faith, as is my duty and responsibility.”
Lord Mandelson’s lawyers have written to the Met to demand the evidence relied upon to justify his arrest, as they said he had agreed to attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.
The force declined to comment beyond a statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday, which read: “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.”
Lord Mandelson reportedly told friends shortly after his release: “Despite a previous agreement between police and my legal team over a voluntary interview in early March, police arrested me because they claimed the Lord Speaker received information that I was about to flee to the British Virgin Islands and take up permanent residence abroad, leaving Reinaldo [his husband], my family, home and Jock [his dog] behind me. I need hardly say complete fiction.”
His lawyers, Mishcon de Reya, said on Tuesday: “Peter Mandelson’s overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.”
The police launched a probe after emails in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show Lord Mandelson passing on information to the billionaire paedophile.
It included an assessment by Gordon Brown’s adviser of potential policy measures, including an “asset sales plan”. He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers’ bonuses and confirmed an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.
It comes after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was dramatically arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after similar allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while he was the UK’s trade envoy.
The former prince spent 11 hours in custody in a Norfolk police station after his arrest on his 66th birthday. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to convicted sex offender Epstein, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
MPs have compelled the Government to release files relating to the appointments of both men.