OLAF, the European anti-fraud office, has been asked to look into the former trade commissioner, a Commission spokesperson says.
LONDON — The European Commission has referred disgraced British politician Peter Mandelson to fraud investigators over his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Commission is assessing whether Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner, broke the bloc’s rules after recently released files suggested he gave Epstein information about a €500 billion bailout to save the euro in 2010.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told POLITICO: “Given the circumstances, and the significant amount of documents made available publicly, the European Commission also asked OLAF [the European anti-fraud office] on 18 February to look into the matter. Pending the ongoing assessment, we are not in a position to comment further.”
“We can confirm that we are currently looking into the matter. We cannot comment further at this stage,” OLAF said in a statement to POLITICO.
“The fact that OLAF is examining the matter does not mean that OLAF has opened an investigation. As a general rule, OLAF analyses all incoming information of potential investigative interest according to standard procedures.
“It is only after such an initial assessment that OLAF decides whether or not to open an investigation.
“OLAF fully respects the presumption of innocence and the rights of defence of the persons/entities concerned.”
Mandelson’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has previously said he was wrong to have continued his association with Epstein, who died in 2019, and apologized “unequivocally” to Epstein’s victims. Mandelson has said none of the Epstein emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice “indicate wrongdoing or misdemeanor on my part.”
Mandelson served as a European commissioner between 2004 and 2008 and is now at the center of a scandal that has rocked the government of Keir Starmer in Britain.
Police arrested Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday, before releasing him on bail. Mandelson’s lawyers have previously said he is cooperating with the U.K. police investigation, and that his overriding priority is to “clear his name.”
Recently published files suggest Mandelson helped provide Epstein with information about a €500 billion bailout to save the euro in 2010. Mandelson was a senior British minister at the time and Epstein a financier.
Earlier this month, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage‚ himself a former MEP, wrote to OLAF to call for an investigation into Mandelson.
“It is encouraging to see the European Commission take these despicable allegations seriously,” said Nick Aiossa, director at anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International.
“It is now incumbent upon OLAF to establish whether Mr Mandelson abused his function as European Commissioner, and take all necessary steps to ensure accountability is delivered.”