UK PM seeks inquiry into Epstein ties of former envoy, key Blair-era Labour figure Peter Mandelson
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered an urgent inquiry into former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson’s links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, amid mounting political pressure following the release of fresh US documents.
Downing Street said the review will examine all available information relating to Mandelson’s contacts with Epstein during his time as a government minister. The inquiry will be led by Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald.
Starmer has also said Mandelson should be stripped of his House of Lords title and barred from sitting in the upper chamber of Parliament, although he acknowledged that the prime minister does not have the direct power to remove a peerage.
The move comes after newly released US records revived scrutiny of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein. Bank documents suggest Epstein may have transferred a total of $75,000 to accounts linked to Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. Other records indicate that in 2009, when Mandelson was business secretary, he forwarded an economic briefing to Epstein intended for then prime minister Gordon Brown.
Mandelson, a key architect of Labour’s revival under Tony Blair in the 1990s, resigned from the Labour Party on Sunday, saying he did not want to cause “further embarrassment”. He has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he has no recollection of receiving the alleged payments and does not know whether the documents are authentic.
The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the latest Epstein files and has received multiple reports alleging misconduct in public office. These reports, it said, will be reviewed to determine whether they meet the threshold for a criminal investigation. While police did not name individuals, several British media outlets have identified Mandelson as the subject of the complaints.
Mandelson, who was removed as UK ambassador to Washington last year over his ties to Epstein, has apologised to Epstein’s victims for maintaining a friendship with the disgraced financier.
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Vijayanagara: One dead, 12 injured as trucks hits their vehicle from behind on NH 50
Vijayanagara: One man was killed and 12 others were injured after a truck hit vehicle they were traveling in on the National Highway 50 stretch on the outskirts of Koodligi in the district.
The accident victim, Madhu (27), is learned to have been an employee of Reliance Digital from Andhra Pradesh.
The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Bengaluru to Koodligi and the passengers are learned to have been seriously injured following the collision with the truck, which was found to have a Maharashtra registration.
Koodligi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Mallesh Dodmani and Circle Inspector Prahlad Channagiri arrived at the accident spot on being informed of the accident.
The police officers and locals rescued the injured passengers and got them shifted to the Koodligi Government Hospital. Some of the passengers were reportedly taken to the Ballari Trauma Care Centre for further treatment.
A case has been registered at the Koodligi Police Station and the officers are investigating the incident.
