EU Commission Requests Investigation into Mandelson by Anti-Fraud Agency

European Union's Anti-Fraud Office to Investigate Peter Mandelson

The European Union's anti-fraud office, OLAF, has been asked to investigate the conduct of Peter Mandelson, the bloc's former trade chief, amid allegations of links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The request was made by the European Commission on February 18.

The commission is assessing whether there is any breach of obligations under the EU's treaties and Code of Conduct. Peter Mandelson served as EU Trade Commissioner from 2004 to 2008. As part of the investigation, OLAF will detect and investigate fraud, corruption, and serious misconduct involving EU funds.

The request to OLAF follows the arrest of Peter Mandelson by UK police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest was sparked by emails allegedly showing him forwarding government information to Jeffrey Epstein. The emails, released by the US Department of Justice, also suggest that Mandelson disclosed potentially market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving as a UK government minister.

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The investigation is ongoing, and OLAF has confirmed receipt of the commission's request. The request was previously reported by the Financial Times.