EPSTEIN FILES: Searches of Peter Mandleson properties conclude but 'complex' probe to continue - the Lord has yet to be arrested

SEARCHES of two properties linked to Peter Mandleson have concluded while the "complex" investigation continues, the Met Police said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said this morning, Saturday, February 7 2026: “I can confirm that officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team have carried out searches at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area. The searches were related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.

“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing. This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis. It will take some time to do this work comprehensively and we will not be providing a running commentary.”

It comes as concerns have been raised by the public over why searches of Peter Mandleson's properties came four days after it was announced by police there was a review into potential misconduct in public office after the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files.

The US Department of Justice released a huge load of documents concerning the late convicted paedophile sex trafficker Epstein, including emails to and from the US financier last weekend.

Messages dated from 2008 appear to show Lord Mandelson discussing Treasury plans for a one-off tax on bankers' bonuses with Epstein at the time when the former was the business secretary in Gordon Brown's government.

Two days later the pair exchanged emails about the policy, the released documents suggest.

Other emails indicate that Lord Mandelson gave advanced warning to Epstein of a €500bn bailout from the EU to save the Euro. 

On Monday Ella Marriott, Commander of the Met police, said: “We are aware of the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice.

“Following this release and subsequent media reporting, the Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.

"As with any matter, if new and relevant information is brought to our attention we will assess it, and investigate as appropriate."

Lord Mandleson was not named in the release.

In response, a UK government spokesperson said: "The government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."

On Tuesday Commander Marriott confirmed it had become an investigation into a 72-year-old former government minister.

She said: "I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offences.

“The Met will continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation and won’t be commenting any further at this time.”

Then today the force said properties linked to the man in Camden and Wiltshire were being searched.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said:

“I can confirm that officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.

"The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.

“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”

Lord Mandleson let investigators into his £12 million Camden home earlier today.

Officers were seen briefly searching a car outside the property before returning inside and leaving the building carrying several boxes.

Lord Mandelson was also able to arrange for police to enter the Wiltshire address without force.

Police entered the property carrying unfolded archive boxes and also investigating outhouses.

But, critics have said the searches should have taken place before any public announcements about the review or investigation.

One posted on YouTube: "He is not silly everything would have gone by now."

Another said: "Couldn’t (they) have searched his home before all this stuff hit the press? Seems a silly way to go about things."

A third said: "Waste of time, any evidence is long gone."

Mandleson denies any wrongdoing and has said he only became aware of the extent of Epstein's offending after his death.

He has yet to be arrested.

On Wednesday, after a threat of rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer by Labour MPs, Downing Street promised to release documents relating to its appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US.

Up to 100,000 documents could now be released in the UK.

The Prime Minister said in a letter to the Intelligence and Security Committee today, Friday February 6 2026, a "very significant volume of material" will likely need to be reviewed but said it is important that the documents are made available to Parliament "as soon as possible".

It has been suggested the fallout could end Starmer's reign with former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner hinting she will make a bid for his job.