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British police say they are searching two properties linked to Peter Mandelson as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office following revelations about his conduct.
Since the U.S. Department of Justice recently released documents about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Mandelson has been accused of passing market-sensitive government information to Epstein that clearly benefited him financially in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
“We can confirm that officers from the Metropolitan Central Special Crime Team are executing search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas,” Met Police Deputy Commissioner Hayley Swart said on Friday.
“The search is related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in office involving a 72-year-old man,” the statement added.
Police said Mandelson, 72, has not been arrested and the investigation continues.
Mandelson quit the Labor Party on Sunday and resigned from the House of Lords, the upper house of the British parliament, on Wednesday.
CNN has not been able to reach Mandelson this week.
The Mandelson scandal has plunged Keir Starmer’s government into crisis and called into question the prime minister’s political judgment. Mr Starmer appointed Mr Mandelson as ambassador last year. Her friendship with Mr. Epstein is well known, and it continued even after Mr. Epstein was convicted in 2008 of pimping an underage girl.
Mandelson made little comment to British media this week. “I want to say this loud and clear: I made a mistake believing in[Epstein]after he was convicted and continuing my relationship with him after he was convicted. I unequivocally apologize to the women and girls who have been victimized for what I did.”
This is the third time Mr Mandelson has been removed from a senior government position due to his connections to wealthy individuals, having been removed as ambassador in September following the release of the previous Epstein files.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
