"Epstein" scandal, EU asks OLAF to open investigation into Peter Mandelson

The European Commission has asked the EU's anti-fraud agency to open an investigation into Peter Mandelson's activities as the bloc's Trade Commissioner.

A commission spokesman confirmed today that it had referred Mandelson to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) following the publication of his communications with the late paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

The spokesperson said that “whenever there is any indication of a possible breach of obligations under the code of conduct, the commission assesses these possible breaches and takes action on this basis, if necessary.”

"On this basis, and since new documents were recently published, we are reviewing these and assessing whether there is any violation of relevant obligations," he added.

Given the circumstances and the significant amount of documents made public, the European Commission also asked OLAF on 18 February to examine the matter.

"Pending the ongoing assessment, we are unable to comment further," he said.

According to the Financial Times, the European investigation is expected to be broad and not focused on any specific issue.

An OLAF spokesman confirmed that the agency had been asked to investigate Mandelson's actions, but could not say whether an investigation would be carried out.

Mandelson served as EU Trade Commissioner between 2004 and 2008 before returning to the UK government as Business Secretary.

Following the publication of Epstein's emails, he has been accused of providing sensitive information to the pedophile financier while serving as a cabinet minister.

On Monday, Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following a suggestion by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, that he intended to flee to the Virgin Islands.

Mandelson's lawyers have described the claim as baseless.

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