Met Police apologise to Forsyth after Mandelson tip-off error
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Metropolitan Police has apologised to Lord Forsyth, the Speaker of the House of Lords, after mistakenly identifying him as the source of information leading to Lord Mandelson's arrest. The arrest was based on a "baseless" claim that Mandelson was planning to move abroad permanently. During their meeting, officers clarified the misunderstanding and acknowledged the error.
The investigation into Mandelson stems from allegations that he passed market-sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a minister. Mandelson's lawyers have denied any criminal wrongdoing or financial motivation, stating his intention is to cooperate with authorities to clear his name. He was arrested at his London home and released on bail, surrendering his passport as a condition.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed he had provided information to the police about Mandelson's travel plans, which he believed was his duty. However, the Met Police later apologised to Hoyle for inadvertently revealing Forsyth's involvement in the tip-off. The case highlights the challenges of balancing national security concerns with protecting individual reputations.
This incident raises questions about public trust
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026