European anti-fraud office opens probe into Mandelson
The European Anti-Fraud Office said it had launched an investigation into Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States and former European Union politician who is under scrutiny for his ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“OLAF can confirm that an investigation has been opened into the case you mentioned. However, as the investigation is ongoing, OLAF cannot comment further,” he said via email on Friday.
“This is to protect the confidentiality of ongoing and likely ongoing investigations, possible subsequent judicial proceedings, personal data and procedural rights,” it was stated.
The official investigation into Mandelson, 72, who served as the EU’s trade commissioner between 2004 and 2008, came after OLAF first said it was investigating the situation in February.
Mandelson’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
OLAF said it was investigating fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious abuses in the bloc’s institutions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson, who last served as a minister when Labor was in power 15 years ago, as the UK’s ambassador to the US in late 2024, but sacked him last September after multiple emails revealed the depth of Mandelson’s ties to Epstein.
