Mandelson Accusations Deepen Amid Gordon Brown’s ‘Betrayal’ Claim

LONDON (Azat TV) – Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched a scathing attack on his one-time cabinet ally, Lord Peter Mandelson, accusing him of a “betrayal of his country” by allegedly leaking market-sensitive government secrets to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brown’s comments, made on Saturday, February 7, 2026, highlight the deepening political and criminal fallout from the recently revealed Epstein files, which suggest Lord Mandelson shared highly confidential information after the 2008 global financial crisis, potentially putting Britain’s economy “at risk.” The Metropolitan Police have confirmed a “complex” criminal investigation is underway, including searches of Lord Mandelson’s properties in London and Wiltshire.

Speaking passionately about his former Business Secretary, Mr. Brown articulated a profound sense of personal and national disillusionment, stating he was “shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down.” He emphasized the gravity of the alleged actions: “All of the information he passed on… the papers by other advisers were commercially sensitive; this was financially secret information. It meant that Britain was at risk because of that, the currency was at risk, some of the trading that would happen would be speculative as a result of that. There’s no doubt that huge commercial damage could have been done and perhaps was done.” This sentiment underscores the potential economic ramifications of the alleged leaks, extending beyond mere personal impropriety to national security concerns.

Epstein Files Reveal Alleged Leaks and Financial Ties

The core of the allegations stems from emails released as part of the Epstein files, which documented correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the disgraced financier. These messages reportedly show the former Labour peer briefing Epstein on internal discussions at the highest levels of the UK government. Notably, Lord Mandelson allegedly provided Epstein with advance notice of a €500 billion EU bank bailout in 2010. He also conveyed his efforts to influence government policy on bankers’ bonuses, a contentious issue during the post-crisis period when then-Chancellor Alistair Darling had announced a 50% “super tax” on bonuses in December 2009 to curb inflated pay from taxpayer-funded bailouts. Further documents suggest that Epstein may have sent money to Lord Mandelson and his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, raising questions about the nature of their relationship beyond mere association.

Police Investigation Underway Amid Mandelson’s Apology

The Metropolitan Police have been actively investigating claims of misconduct in a public office by Lord Mandelson. On Saturday, a top corporate and financial crime lawyer, Adrian Darbishire KC, was seen visiting Lord Mandelson’s residence near Regent’s Park, London, indicating the seriousness of the ongoing legal scrutiny. Police searches of two of Lord Mandelson’s properties in Camden, north London, and Wiltshire have concluded, with authorities describing the criminal investigation as “complex” and requiring “a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis.” Lord Mandelson’s representatives have been contacted for comment, though no immediate public statement has been issued. Previously, Lord Mandelson has offered an unequivocal apology for his continued association with Epstein after his 2008 conviction, stating, “I was wrong to believe Epstein… and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.”

Political Ramifications for Labour Leadership

The scandal has reverberated through the Labour Party, prompting criticism of current leadership decisions. Gordon Brown also stated that Sir Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader, made a “mistake” by appointing Lord Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US last year, though he acknowledged Starmer was likely “misled and betrayed.” Mr. Brown lauded Sir Keir Starmer as a man of “integrity” but attributed Lord Mandelson’s appointment to a “systemic failure” in vetting, noting that “Nobody had ever heard of Epstein in the government, and nobody knew of any friendship between Epstein and Mandelson at that time.” Meanwhile, Labour MP Karl Turner, representing Kingston upon Hull East, has called for the removal of Downing Street chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, holding him responsible for the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson. A government spokesperson affirmed that the “shameful and disgraceful behaviour revealed this week is wholly incompatible with public service,” confirming that urgent work has begun to strengthen the Ministerial Code and enhance accountability.

The unfolding allegations against Lord Peter Mandelson, and the severe reaction from a former prime minister, underscore a critical moment for political accountability in the UK, particularly concerning the integrity of government information and the vetting processes for public appointments. The complexity of the police investigation and the calls for systemic reform suggest that the ramifications of this scandal will likely extend far beyond the individuals involved, potentially reshaping public trust and ethical standards within British politics.