Ex-British Cabinet secretary Mandelson has bail conditions dropped but remains under investigation

LONDON

Former British Cabinet secretary Peter Mandelson has had his bail conditions lifted following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, though he remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Mandelson's lawyers confirmed on Friday that his passport had been returned, adding that he did not constitute a flight risk.

Mandelson, 72, was arrested on Feb.23 following allegations that while serving as a government minister he passed on market-sensitive information to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The arrest followed a tip-off from House of Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle, who alerted police amid concerns that the former cabinet minister might be planning to travel to the British Virgin Islands.

Mandelson’s legal team had criticized the decision to detain him at the time, saying it was prompted by what they described as a “baseless” suggestion that he intended to “take up permanent residence abroad.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said on Friday that Mandelson had been released under investigation and that inquiries were ongoing.

According to a report by the Telegraph, Mandelson has also declined an invitation from the US House Oversight Committee to give evidence about his relationship with Epstein.

Democratic lawmakers Suhas Subramanyam and Robert Garcia had written to him, citing what they described as “numerous pieces of evidence” of extensive social and business ties, urging him to appear as a matter of urgency.

Mandelson responded through his lawyer, saying he could not attend because of the ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.

Mandelson, long dubbed a political "spin doctor" and the "Prince of Darkness" for his strategic prowess and backroom influence, saw his decades-long career end with recent resignations from the Labour Party and the House of Lords.

He became British ambassador to the US last February but was dismissed in September after Downing Street said new information about the depth of his relationship with Epstein had emerged.

The government said it expects to release the first documents relating to his appointment as envoy to the US in early March.