The U.K. governmentreleaseda second batch of files containing more than 1,500 pages on Monday relating to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S.
Mandelson took up the position in February 2025 but wassacked seven months laterafter files released by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein showed that Mandelson’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender extended beyond what he’d previously disclosed.
The release of additional Epstein-related documents by the DOJ in January prompted further scrutiny, asemails suggested Mandelsonmight have leaked sensitive government information to Epstein in 2009, when he served as Business Secretary under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Mandelsonwas arrestedon suspicion of misconduct in public office in February. He remains under investigation and has not been charged.
Following his arrest, Mandelson’s lawyers said his “overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.”
TIME has reached out to Mandelson’s legal representatives for comment in light of the newly-released files.
In Westminster, the fallout over the appointment of Mandelsonhas sparkeda political crisis.
The first batch of Mandelson files released in Marchrevealedthat British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned of the “reputational risks” associated with Mandelson over his relationship with Epstein when considering his appointment as ambassador to the U.S.
