Peter Mandelson investigated by European anti-fraud office
Peter Mandelson is being investigated by the EU’s anti-fraud agency during his time as the bloc’s trade commissioner.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) confirmed on Friday that it had launched an investigation into Britain’s former ambassador to the US, who was sacked last year over his links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
It comes two months after the European Commission asked the body to investigate Lord Mandelson after more information emerged about his ties to the disgraced financier.
“OLAF can confirm that an investigation has been opened into the case you mentioned. However, as the investigation is ongoing, OLAF cannot make any further comment,” he said via email on Friday.
Lord Mandelson served as European Trade Commissioner between 2004 and 2008 before resigning to join Gordon Brown’s cabinet as Trade Secretary.
Separately, police in Britain are investigating Lord Mandelson’s connection to Epstein during his time in Mr Brown’s government after documents released in the Epstein files emerged showing he shared market-sensitive emails with the disgraced financier.
Lord Mandelson’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
News of the latest investigation comes after the European Commission asked OLAF to open an investigation into the former Labor Party’s time as trade commissioner following the release of the Epstein files in February.
A spokesman for the commission said at the time: “Where there is any indication of a possible breach of obligations under (the code of conduct), the commission assesses those possible breaches and, if necessary, takes action on that basis.
“On this basis and because new documents have recently been published, we are reviewing them and assessing whether there has been a breach of the relevant obligations.”
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer faces fresh questions at home over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US.
Anger over the appointment was reignited last week when it emerged that Foreign Office officials had allowed Labor’s ex-wife to take on the role by granting her enhanced review status, despite the UK Security Review (UKSV) recommending against it.
The crisis has put pressure on the Prime Minister to resign, and some Labor supporters have publicly called on him to resign.
