CPS giving 'advice' to police over Andrew and Mandelson probes

Prosecutors are currently offering early investigative guidance to police as inquiries continue into the connections between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Lord Peter Mandelson, and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed it is assisting both the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police in their respective investigations involving a 72-year-old and a 66-year-old man.

Both Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office due to their alleged links to Epstein. Following their arrests, they were released under investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Meanwhile, sources indicate that Lord Mandelson maintains he did not engage in criminal conduct nor was motivated by financial gain.

The CPS elaborated that their role in providing early investigative advice is a common procedure, especially in complex and high-profile investigations. This advice aims to assist law enforcement by reviewing the evidence collected so far and helping shape future lines of inquiry. However, the CPS emphasized that offering early advice does not imply there is enough evidence to charge someone, which only occurs after police submit a formal request for charging authorization.

Mountbatten-Windsor, aged 66, was released under investigation following his February arrest at Sandringham by Thames Valley Police. Prior to this, authorities had been reviewing allegations related to his association with Epstein, including potential sharing of confidential information. Communications between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein appeared in a batch of files released by the US Department of Justice. During his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, he had privileged access to senior government and business figures worldwide. Documents indicate he forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and China to Epstein, as well as information on investment prospects in gold and uranium in Afghanistan.

Lord Mandelson was also arrested in February by the Metropolitan Police and initially released on bail, which was removed last month along with the return of his passport. The ongoing investigation focuses on allegations that during his time as a government minister, he passed on sensitive government information that could impact financial markets. One 2009 email to Epstein, part of the US government’s released files, apparently shows Mandelson sharing an assessment by an advisor to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown regarding policy measures, including an asset sales plan. Additionally, he reportedly discussed a tax on bankers’ bonuses and confirmed the impending bailout package for the Euro just before it was announced in 2010.

The CPS stated it remains prepared to assist with any further investigative needs. Reflecting the heightened scrutiny following the release of Epstein-related documents, the National Police Chiefs’ Council announced on Tuesday that the police response to the matter will be intensified

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