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Main police replace on Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as assertion issued

Stephen Parkinson’s assertion follows mounting scrutiny over emails and paperwork unsealed in current US court docket filings associated to Jeffrey Epstein’s community.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor at Windsor, United Kingdom, 31/01/2026 © Kelvin Bruce Tel: 44 7515 8765 (Picture: Kelvin Bruce)

Investigations into alleged hyperlinks between Peter Mandelson, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Jeffrey Epstein have been stepped up, with the CPS involved with related police forces. Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson’s affirmation marks a major growth within the ongoing probes.

He instructed reporters on Wednesday: “We’re in shut contact with the Met and Thames Valley Police, however we have now not been requested for formal recommendation but. In complicated and delicate instances, the CPS and the police do work collectively and I’m positive… we are going to achieve this.

“However the place for the time being is that we made contact and we cannot be giving step-by-step updates.”

Peter Mandelson has resigned from the Home of Lords (Picture: Getty)

His feedback underscore the fragile nature of the inquiries, with the CPS poised to supply steering if required, although no formal request has but been made. The assertion follows mounting scrutiny over emails and paperwork unsealed in current US court docket filings associated to Epstein’s community.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, the youthful brother of King Charles III and previously generally known as the Duke of York, faces allegations that he could have shared confidential British commerce paperwork with Epstein throughout his tenure as a UK commerce envoy from 2001 to 2011.

Buckingham Palace responded earlier this week, affirming its readiness to assist any police investigation, although a spokesperson declined to remark additional, citing the necessity to keep away from prejudicing potential proceedings.

Peter Mandelson, 72, the previous Labour peer and US Ambassador, is individually underneath investigation by the Metropolitan Police for alleged misconduct in public workplace. Claims recommend he leaked market-sensitive info to Epstein whereas serving as Enterprise Secretary underneath Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the course of the 2008 monetary disaster.

Downing Avenue Chief of Workers Morgan McSweeney resigned final week (Picture: Getty Photographs)

Mr Mandelson, who has now resigned from each the Home of Lords and the Labour Occasion to keep away from inflicting “additional embarrassment,” was a key architect of New Labour underneath Tony Blair. His Epstein connections emerged from deposition testimonies, the place witnesses alleged he sought Epstein’s monetary recommendation amid the worldwide meltdown.

The fallout from these revelations has been swift and far-reaching. Public outrage has intensified requires transparency in royal and political dealings with Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 whereas awaiting trial on intercourse trafficking costs. Epstein’s internet ensnared high-profile figures worldwide, together with former US President Invoice Clinton and billionaire Invoice Gates, although each have distanced themselves from any illicit actions.

Former Chief of Workers Morgan McSweeney resigned from his function at Downing Avenue on Sunday amid the scandal’s escalation. Mr McSweeney, who masterminded Keir Starmer’s rise to energy, took full accountability for advising the Prime Minister to nominate Mr Mandelson as US Ambassador regardless of the Epstein ties.

His departure has fuelled debates on accountability, with opposition MPs demanding a full parliamentary inquiry into Epstein’s UK ties. Sir Keir Starmer has since instructed Parliament he “regrets” the appointment, claiming Mr Mandelson misled his workforce concerning the “depth of the darkness” of the connection.

Thames Valley Police, dealing with the Prince Andrew probe, confirmed they’re reviewing “new info” from US authorities, together with claims of document-sharing that would breach official secrets and techniques protocols. The Metropolitan Police, investigating Mr Mandelson, have interviewed a number of witnesses and lately searched properties linked to the previous peer.

Critics, together with anti-monarchy group Republic, have lambasted the Royal Household for “stonewalling,” whereas Labour chief Keir Starmer urged restraint, saying: “Justice should take its course with out political interference.”

Mr Mandelson, in his most up-to-date assertion, questioned the “authenticity” of financial institution data showing to point out funds of £55,000 ($75,000), however has apologised to Epstein’s victims whose “voices ought to have been heard” sooner.

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The CPS’s involvement alerts potential escalation, as prosecutors might advise on costs starting from official misconduct to breaches of the Official Secrets and techniques Act. Authorized specialists warn that proving intent in such historic instances is difficult, given Epstein’s demise and the passage of time.

This replace comes amid broader reckoning with Epstein’s legacy, together with ongoing US civil fits. As investigations proceed, strain mounts on each Mandelson and Mountbatten-Windsor to handle the claims publicly. The Palace and Mr Mandelson’s representatives had been approached for remark however didn’t reply by deadline.

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