Lord Peter Mandelson

BBC - 23 February 2026

According to the BBC and several other media reports, Lord Mandelson has been released on bail pending further investigation, hours after his arrest on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The arrest came after the former Labour minister and US ambassador was accused of passing market-sensitive government information to financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

Lord Mandelson has not publicly commented in recent weeks, but the BBC understands his position has consistently been that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain. Though, the common denominator in many of Epstein's dealings is money changing hands, from the financier to people he knew, who were potentially useful to his dealings. In England, especially in Sussex, police have shifted the burden of proof, onto the victims of crime. Refusing to investigate stalking and harassment allegations, unless there is CCTV of every incident. And refusing to countenance evidence from related persons. Clearly, double standards. This is/was while Katy Bourne is the incumbent Crime Commissioner. At present, there being a vote of no-confidence.

19 December 2024: Appointment as US ambassador
Lord Mandelson - who served in a number of ministerial roles under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - is announced as the UK's ambassador to the US.

His previous friendship with Epstein was public knowledge at the time.

8 September 2025: Birthday message to Epstein released
A letter from Lord Mandelson to Epstein, where he calls the financier his "best pal", features in a book compiled for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003, which is released by US lawmakers.

Copy of an undated picture of Peter Mandelson sitting in a white robe laughing while sitting opposite Jeffrey Epstein, who wears a blue top and cream chinos, on a wooden deck. Lord Mandelson (left) wrote that Jeffrey Epstein (right) "remains my best pal" alongside this picture


11 September 2025: Sacked as US ambassador
Lord Mandelson is sacked as US ambassador, after the government said new information about the "depth" of his relationship with Epstein had come to light.

It followed the publication of supportive emails Lord Mandelson sent to Jeffrey Epstein as he faced charges for sex offences in 2008.

30 January 2026: Documents suggest payments from Epstein
Documents suggesting Epstein made $75,000 (£55,000) of payments to accounts connected to Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004 are among a tranche of files released by the US Department of Justice.

Lord Mandelson says he has no record or recollection of receiving the sums and does not know whether the documents are authentic.

Another email suggests Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson's partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, in 2009 to pay for an osteopathy course.

1 February 2026: Resignation from Labour Party
Lord Mandelson resigns his membership of the Labour Party, saying he does not want to "cause further embarrassment" over his links to Epstein.

2 February 2026: Emails suggest government information shared with Epstein
Emails released by the US emerge suggesting Lord Mandelson forwarded market-sensitive government information to Epstein in 2009, when he was business secretary in Brown's government.

In one email he appears to gives Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout from the EU to save the Euro, while in another he discusses plans for a one-off tax on bankers' bonuses.

3 February 2026: Police launch investigation
The Metropolitan Police launches a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson over allegations of misconduct in public office.

23 February: Arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Lord Mandelson is seen being led away from his London home by police officers.

The Metropolitan Police then release a statement confirming a 72-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

24 February: Released on bail pending further investigation
Lord Mandelson is released on bail pending further investigation, the Metropolitan Police says, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

In the very early hours of Tuesday, BBC reporters see him returning to his London home.

Everything To Know About Peter Mandelson’s Husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva

GRAZIA 24th FEBRUARY 2026

Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the United States, has been arrested in London over his links to the late convicted sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that a ’72-year-old man’ had been arrested on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office, with reports surfacing online that police had been pictured at the former Labour minister's Camden home.

His arrest came days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was also arrested on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office. While the former royal was released under investigation, Mandelson has since been released on bail.

Mandelson’s arrest hasn’t only seen his name hit headlines, but also that of his partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva. Files released earlier this year had revealed that Da Silva also had ties to Epstein, having once exchanged regular emails with the disgraced financier.

Who is Reinaldo Avila da Silva, and where is he from?

Reinaldo Avila da Silva is a Brazilian translator and longtime partner of Lord Peter Mandelson. His marriage to Mandelson and communications with Jeffrey Epstein have seen his name thrust into the spotlight.

How old is Reinaldo Avila da Silva? His age gap with Mandelson explained

Mandelson is currently 72 years old, with Da Silva thought to be currently in his mid-50s. There's a 19-year age gap between the couple, who have lived together in London for the duration of their relationship.

When did Mandelson and Da Silva meet?

Having been together for over two decades, Mandelson and Da Silva reportedly met in the mid 1990s. At the time of meeting, Mandelson was a member of the UK parliament, with Da Silva said to have been a Brazilian university student studying in London.

The couple spent 27 years together, finally tying the knot in October 2023. Writing in The Times, Mandelson said of his marriage, 'After 27 unmarried years together, the question I am being asked is what took us both so long. I cannot speak for Reinaldo (I wouldn't dare) but for most of my life I never thought it would be possible. If I am honest, I also did not realise how much difference being married would make in the emotional comfort and strength it brings.'

In the article, Mandelson also spoke about the 'hostile environment' that existed against LGBTQ+ people in politics - noting that he had been outed in media publications, as well as had his sexuality used against him by rival politicians. 'Trying to retain our privacy has been a failure,' he wrote, 'so I am delighted to make it a glorious failure, by declaring our love publicly through marriage. There is nothing to hide, so why create the impression there is?'

Did Reinaldo Avila da Silva know Jeffrey Epstein?

Indeed, Mandelson's latest arrest has seen his name once again linked to that of Jeffrey Epstein. However, it isn't the first time their connection has been questioned - with a drop of Epstein Files released in January 2026 also linking Reinaldo to the late financier. The documents raised fresh questions about Epstein's relationship with both da Silva and Mandelson (who was sacked as the UK's ambassador to Washington when details of his support for Epstein emerged last year.)

According to emails that were published by the US Department of Justice, Epstein had sent thousands of pounds in bank transfers following his 2009 release from prison to Mandelson's husband.

One email appeared to show da Silva emailing Epstein on 7 September 2009. The date was around two months after Epstein had been released from jail, having served 13 months of his 18-month sentence for soliciting prostitution for a minor.

In the email, Da Silva appeared to ask Epstein to fund an osteopathy course, writing, 'I sent you a couple of emails last week regarding my osteo course expenses, incl fee, anatomical models, laptop if you can help me with this. I hope you received them.'

It continued: 'I just managed to speak to the fees office at the osteo school and confirmed that my annual fee is of £3,225. They accept bank transfer and the details are as follows.'

Epstein responded later that day, confirming that he would 'wire' the money 'immediately.'

The following day, Da Silva allegedly emailed yet again to ask whether a £10,000 payment included his school fees, or if that amount had been transferred to the school directly. Epstein responded: 'includedd' [sic].

After Da Silva sent details of his course, an email from Mandelson to Epstein read, 'Remind him that to avoid a gift-tax filing it must be a loan.'

Another email sent on 17 September appeared to show Da Silva thanking Epstein for the money. Over the following months, more money was allegedly sent - with emails reportedly seeing Epstein ask his accountant to send '13k dollars' to Reinaldo, as well as a further '2k per month.'

The files also appeared to show Epstein sending three separate $25,000 payments referencing Lord Mandelson between 2003 and 2004. Mandelson said he had no record or recollection of receiving the sums and did not know whether the documents were authentic.

The former ambassador also stated earlier this year that while he was ‘wrong’ to continue his friendship with Epstein, he was 'never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the actual truth about him after his death.’

LINKS & REFERENCE

https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/everything-to-know-about-peter-mandelsons-husband-reinaldo-avila-da-silva/

https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/everything-to-know-about-peter-mandelsons-husband-reinaldo-avila-da-silva/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9yelvx7jo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9yelvx7jo