A Metropolitan Police investigation into whether Lord Mandelson, a former Labour government official, shared confidential government information with financier Jeffrey Epstein is reportedly at risk of collapse. Detectives believe they require unredacted documents from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue a charge of misconduct in public office, but they fear the U.S. will not provide them.
The British police force's requests for the documents, initially made under an informal agreement to share information, have not been answered by the DOJ or the FBI. The Met has since escalated their request through a formal process known as mutual legal assistance (MLA).
Sources suggest a hesitancy from the U.S. administration to share files that could potentially tarnish reputations, along with concerns that releasing such documents could set a precedent for other cases and reignite the scandal surrounding Epstein.
The unredacted Epstein files are considered crucial by Mandelson's legal team, who may argue that the redacted emails previously released by the U.S. agency lack context. The Metropolitan Police are attempting to gather sufficient evidence by interviewing officials and politicians who worked with Mandelson during his time in Whitehall, but securing a prosecution without the unredacted files is considered a significant challenge.
The offense of misconduct in public office requires substantial documented evidence for a conviction. While some within the Met express concern that redacted documents could weaken their legal case, others maintain the investigation is ongoing with hopes for a successful prosecution.
Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party in February, citing a desire to avoid further embarrassment amid claims Epstein provided him with $75,000. Bank statements indicate Epstein made three $25,000 transactions referencing Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. In 2009, Epstein also wired $10,000 to Mandelson's husband for an osteopathy course and other expenses, according to separate emails. A tranche of documents released by the DOJ included an image allegedly of Mandelson in his underwear with an unidentified woman.
Emails also appeared to suggest Mandelson leaked market-sensitive information during the 2008 financial crisis when he served as Secretary of State for Business. He was arrested on a tip-off from the House of Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who suggested Mandelson might be a flight risk. The Met later apologized to Sir Lindsay for inadvertently revealing his identity as the source.
Mandelson has never been charged with misconduct in public office and denies any wrongdoing. He has previously stated about his relationship with Epstein, "My knowledge of him is something I regret, I wish I'd never met him in the first place."
In November 2025, a bill was signed ordering the release of nearly 3.5 million documents related to Epstein. Former President Donald Trump had previously opposed the release, calling it a "Democrat-led hoax," but eventually signed the bill under pressure from Epstein's victims and his own party. The Epstein files also raised questions about Trump's relationship with the financier. Trump has stated he banned Epstein from his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, after an inappropriate advance on a member's daughter.
A DOJ spokesperson stated that the department has not refused to assist any jurisdiction investigating potential criminal conduct related to Jeffrey Epstein. The spokesperson emphasized that both U.S. and U.K. authorities follow established legal procedures for sharing information and evidence, ensuring cooperation adheres to applicable laws and protects the integrity of ongoing matters. The department remains committed to cooperating with all jurisdictions pursuing potential crimes in accordance with federal law and longstanding practice.