A criminal investigation has been launched into allegations Lord Peter Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, ITV News understands.
Lord Mandelson is also stepping down from the House of Lords following the allegations.
It comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said officials were drafting legislation to remove Mandelson’s peerage ‘as quickly as possible’.
Number 10 also said they have passed material to the police after an initial review of documents released as part of the so-called Epstein files found they contained ‘likely market-sensitive information’ and official handling safeguards had been ‘compromised’.
Earlier, the Met Police said they were assessing information relating to alleged misconduct in public office.
In a statement, former prime minister Gordon Brown said he has written to Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley ‘with information relevant to his investigation of Lord Mandelson’s disclosure of market sensitive and confidential government information’ to Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson has insisted Epstein’s money did not influence his actions in government.
He will formally retire from the House on February 4, the newly-installed Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth of Drumlean said.
Also on tonight’s Evening News:
• The family of Sheffield schoolboy Harvey Willgoose who was stabbed to death by a fellow pupil say he would still be alive today if his school hadn’t missed opportunities to protect him
• Emergency services called to the crash of a light aircraft in Greater Manchester
• ‘Heartbreak’ and shock as part of a coast road in Devon is washed away by the sea
• A special flypast to mark a World War Two veteran’s 103rd birthday
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