Both men are under investigation for misconduct in public office.

 

Andrew and Mandelson

Footage shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson laughing together (Image: Channel 4)

Footage has emerged of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson together at an event. In the video, Andrew and Mandelson are surrounded by a group of men, yet they seem absorbed in their own conversation, laughing together. The unearthed clip was broadcast on Channel 4 News, just days after both were arrested on the same offence: suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Andrew, 66, was arrested on Thursday (February 19) and questioned at Aylsham police station. The allegations relate to his time as the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, with claims that he leaked confidential trade reports, among other documents, to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson was arrested for the same crime on Monday (February 23). The passing of sensitive information relates to when he was the business secretary between 2008 and 2010.

The Funeral Of The Duchess Of Kent

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Image: Getty)

Documents allegedly shared by Mandelson include details of a multibillion-pound eurozone rescue package, Gordon Brown’s departure from office, and proposed disposals of state-owned assets and property.

The documents suggest that the Labour politician may have shared an internal government report with Epstein and indicated that he would lobby for a reduction in tax on bankers’ bonuses.

It is not believed Andrew and Mandelson shared a friendship, but documents recently released by the U.S. government suggest both of them were close to Epstein.

New emails released at the end of January as part of the Epstein files show Andrew telling the sex offender that Mandelson “wouldn’t be getting any favours from government”.

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Mandelson claimed he was arrested over the “complete fiction” he was preparing to flee to the Caribbean (Image: Getty)

The email, which appears to be sent from the former Duke of York, says: “You should know that I was seeing David Rowland, my trusted money man whom you know from a long time ago.

“He saw Hugo Swire, the new Minister of State Northern Ireland about some Savings and Loan problem in NI, prior to me going round to see him; but Hugo asked him a very direct question about whether or not I was still seeing you.

“David play a very dead hand but David said he was surprised at the question when he told me. He also said in nearly the same breath that Peter Mandelson wouldn’t be getting any favours from this government. Just thought you should know.”

Mandelson claimed he was arrested over the “complete fiction” he was preparing to flee to the Caribbean. The Metropolitan Police had reportedly intended to interview him in two weeks’ time, but arrested him after hearing he was plotting to bolt for the British Virgin Islands.

He was held for nine hours before being released on bail early Tuesday morning.