Mandelson’s Lawyers Say Arrest Sparked by ‘Baseless’ Flight Risk Claim

Published: 25 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Lawyers for Peter Mandelson, the former UK cabinet minister and ex‑ambassador to the United States, have criticised his recent arrest, saying it stemmed from an unfounded allegation that he was a flight risk rather than evidence of criminal conduct. Mr Mandelson was detained by the Metropolitan Police Service on the afternoon of Monday, 23 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday pending further investigation. Police said they were unable to comment on specifics while inquiries continue, but confirmed the arrest followed search warrants executed at his addresses in Camden and Wiltshire.

According to statements from his law firm Mishcon de Reya, Mr Mandelson had already agreed with police to attend a voluntary interview next month related to allegations that he may have passed sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a senior minister. His legal team says the decision to arrest him earlier than planned was prompted by what they describe as a “baseless suggestion” that he was planning to leave the United Kingdom and relocate abroad, potentially to the British Virgin Islands. The lawyers emphasised that there was “absolutely no truth whatsoever” to any suggestion he intended to flee, and said they have asked police to provide the evidence justifying the arrest.

Mr Mandelson, 72, denies any wrongdoing. Following his release on bail, he was reportedly required to surrender his passport as a condition of his bail, limiting his ability to travel overseas while the investigation progresses. His legal representatives have said he continues to prioritise cooperation with authorities and aims to clear his name through the investigative process.

The arrest forms part of an ongoing police inquiry into documents released in the so‑called Epstein files, a collection of material from the US Department of Justice that includes communications between Mandelson and Epstein, some of which appear to reference confidential UK government discussions from the late 2000s. While Mr Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords and his ambassadorial post amid public scrutiny over those disclosures, he retains his title and continues to maintain his innocence in relation to the current investigation.

Political reactions to the arrest have underscored the sensitivity of the case, with some critics questioning the propriety of Mandelson’s previous high‑profile appointments given the unfolding allegations. However, his lawyers’ assertion that the arrest was triggered by unsubstantiated claims about his willingness to leave the country — rather than clear risk indicators — has injected further debate about police processes and the handling of high‑profile investigations.

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