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Police in the United Kingdom have arrested former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson after DOJ documents released in the United States revealed he shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein.

Getting into it: Police arrived at Mandelson’s north London home on Monday, where officers from the Metropolitan Police arrested the 72-year-old on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Authorities are investigating allegations that Mandelson passed market-sensitive and confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein during the 2009–2010 global financial crisis, when Mandelson was serving as a senior minister. Emails released in the DOJ files show Mandelson discussing internal government deliberations, including potential taxes on bankers’ bonuses, plans for raising revenue through asset sales, and confirmation of an imminent eurozone bailout package before it was publicly announced.

Notably, the allegations do not relate to sexual offenses (Photos released in the Epstein files have shown Mandelson down to his underwear with women connected to Epstein). Mandelson has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains he was not motivated by financial gain. Previously, he acknowledged he was “wrong to believe [Epstein] following his conviction” and apologized for maintaining the association, but he has insisted he “answered questions about his relationship accurately” during the vetting process for his diplomatic appointment.

Just days earlier, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (former Prince Andrew) was detained on suspicion of the same offense. Police are reviewing claims he may have shared confidential trade information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy.

This all comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intensified political pressure. Downing Street has stated that Starmer believes Mandelson “lied” during his vetting process and has pledged to release documents related to his appointment. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch described the arrest as “the defining moment of Keir Starmer’s premiership,” arguing that “watching the man who he appointed to the highest position in our diplomatic service getting arrested by police is an image which I think is going to stay with us for many, many years to come.”

As of now, Prime Minister Starmer has pushed back on calls to resign over his appointment of Mandelson.