British politician Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after several hours of questioning by detectives on suspicion of leaking confidential government information to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was a government minister in the early 2000s.
The former British ambassador to Washington was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of misconduct in office. His arrest follows the detention of Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is also being investigated for similar misconduct related to Epstein.
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Epstein’s revelations have sparked investigations and resignations in Europe, but the fallout has been muted in the United States.
What impact did the Epstein file have on British politics?
This development marks one of the sharpest reversals in recent British political life. Just a few months ago, Mandelson held the country’s most senior (and coveted) diplomatic role.
He has since lost his job, faced a police search of his home and now faces possible criminal charges. He has been forced to resign from the House of Lords, the unelected upper house of the British parliament, and could be stripped of his title.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
![When Peter Mandelson was arrested on February 23, 2026, police led him to a waiting car. [Screenshot via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/peter_mandelson_arrest_screenshot-1771871477.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C433&quality=80)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Mr Mandelson as UK ambassador – a decision that came at a time when Mr Mandelson’s popularity was waning – prompted the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and raised questions about whether Mr Mandelson would be able to complete his term.
The scandal also affected the royal family. Following Andrew’s arrest for leaking classified information while he was British trade envoy, the first arrest of a senior royal in centuries, King Charles III said: “The law must stand.”
Royal biographer Andrew Lowney, who interviewed the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of forcing her to have sex three times with Prince Andrew when she was 17, warned that the scandal could “bring Charles out of office” amid increased scrutiny over what he knew about his brother’s actions.
The cases are part of Europe’s broader response to a trove of newly released Epstein documents from the United States.
Authorities across the continent have launched investigations and several public figures have resigned or lost their jobs.
What happened in Europe?
France has also moved. Former culture minister Jack Lang has resigned from his role leading Paris’ cultural institutions after the European and Foreign Affairs Ministry asked him to question him over his contacts with Epstein.
In Norway, former Prime Minister Torbjorn Jagland was charged with “gross corruption” after it was revealed that he stayed at Epstein’s properties in New York and Florida, visited his private islands, and made the late sex offender pay for himself and his family. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Mona Djul, Norway’s ambassador to Jordan, also resigned after reports that Epstein left $10 million to his children in his will.
Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway apologized after documents revealed she had holidayed at one of Epstein’s properties.
In Slovakia, national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak resigned after revelations about his ties to Mr. Epstein surfaced. Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed that he had accepted his resignation.
For many in Europe, just appearing in the file would trigger public scrutiny, investigation or even resignation.
The government has treated the release of documents as grounds for a formal investigation, even if criminal charges are not clear.
Why has there been less radioactive fallout in the United States?
Public anger has been simmering in the United States for years. Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and Thomas Massie, a Republican, are leading a bipartisan effort to release the files and have used the term “Epstein class” to refer to wealthy elites who believe they are above the law.
But criminal liability beyond Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell remains limited. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
FBI documents identify eight alleged co-conspirators, including former Victoria’s Secret CEO Lex Wexner, Epstein’s former secretary Leslie Groff, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died in French custody.
Other than Maxwell, no one has been convicted in the United States in connection with Epstein’s human trafficking case.
The lack of accountability spans Democratic and Republican presidents.
Mr. Epstein first avoided federal prosecution in 2007 and 2008 through a controversial non-prosecution agreement during the George W. Bush administration.
The subsequent administrations of President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump’s first term, and President Joe Biden’s administration did not result in new, full-scale prosecutions tied to the broader network named in the file.
Despite Congress forcing President Trump to release the files, there is no indication that any charges are being filed.
Who was affected in the US?
Several prominent Americans have stepped down from office or faced reputational damage.
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers has taken a leave of absence from his academic duties at Harvard University following scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.
Attorney Brad Karp has resigned as chairman of the Paul Weiss law firm. The National Football League announced it would review Epstein’s interactions with New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch.
Peter Attia, a prominent longevity expert and physician, has apologized and resigned from his position as David Protein’s chief scientific officer over an email exchange with Epstein. He also resigned as a contributor to CBS News.
Others named in interactions with Epstein have not faced formal charges.
They include former White House strategist Steve Bannon, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who said he had never visited Epstein’s island, although they had discussed the possibility via email.
Former President Bill Clinton testified before Congress about his friendship with Epstein.
Trump has known Epstein for years and appears thousands of times in released documents, but like the White House, he denies wrongdoing.
