Peter Mandelson, the UK’s former ambassador to Washington, is being investigated over claims he leaked delicate authorities info to Jeffrey Epstein.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Police in the UK have opened a felony investigation into the nation’s former ambassador to Washington. It is over allegations he leaked delicate authorities info to Jeffrey Epstein. NPR’s Lauren Frayer reviews from London.
LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: That is the road Peter Mandelson is known for.
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PETER MANDELSON: I’m a fighter and never a quitter.
FRAYER: After a political comeback 25 years in the past. He is been an MP, a cupboard minister, envoy to the U.S., a publish he resigned from final 12 months over his friendship with the late intercourse offender Epstein. Now Mandelson has additionally stop the Home of Lords over the most recent Epstein recordsdata launched by the U.S. Justice Division.
DAN NEIDLE: What we discovered was extraordinary.
FRAYER: Tax lawyer and assume tank founder Dan Neidle sifted by way of the most recent trove. Pictures of Mandelson in his underwear, alleged funds Epstein made to Mandelson and his husband and emails from when Mandelson was a cupboard secretary after the 2008 monetary disaster.
NEIDLE: Peter Mandelson was forwarding delicate authorities emails to Epstein, not simply delicate U.Okay. authorities emails. He was leaking U.Okay. and U.S. authorities secrets and techniques, primarily, to Wall Road.
FRAYER: Police are investigating whether or not that was felony. Mandelson didn’t reply NPR’s calls and hasn’t commented on the e-mail allegations. He issued an announcement saying he has no recollection of funds. However this episode raises questions on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s judgment in naming him ambassador simply over a 12 months in the past.
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PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER: Many individuals love him. Others like to hate him.
FRAYER: Starmer joked about Mandelson’s repute in a D.C. go to final 12 months.
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STARMER: However to us, he is simply Peter.
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FRAYER: Mandelson’s former colleague in Parliament Harriet Harman informed the BBC he and different elites have damage public belief. This week, the king’s brother – now not prince, simply Andrew – moved off Windsor Fortress grounds, additionally in shame.
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HARRIET HARMAN: Individuals will assume all their prejudices about politicians have proved proper.
FRAYER: Due to the revelations in these Epstein recordsdata.
Lauren Frayer, NPR Information, London.
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