The communist daily newspaper, Morning Star, reports on the sudden arrest on Monday of Lord Peter Mandelson over the continuing fall out from the International Epstein scandal.
A former British ambassador to the United States was led from his London home by police officers on Monday afternoon, following allegations he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in a public office at an address in Camden. He was taken to a London police station for interview. The arrest followed the execution of search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.
The individual, widely named in reports as Lord Mandelson, has denied any wrongdoing.
This development comes as Australia became the first Commonwealth realm to signal support for removing the disgraced Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, from the line of succession to the throne. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stating his government would back "any proposal" to do so, noting Australians take the "grave allegations" about Andrew's links to Epstein "seriously."
The former prince was himself arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment. He spent 11 hours in custody on his 66th birthday while officers searched his home on the Sandringham estate before being released under investigation.
Despite being stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages in early 2022 due to his association with Epstein, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne. Removing him from the succession would require an Act of Parliament supported by all 14 Commonwealth countries where King Charles III is head of state.
Mr Albanese's letter coincided with fresh claims from former civil servants that the Duke used taxpayers' money for massages and excessive travel costs during his time as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The Department for Business and Trade did not dispute the allegations. Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer confirmed receipt of the Australian Prime Minister's letter and stated the government was "considering whether further steps are required."
