The European Commission confirmed this Thursday that it has asked the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to investigate the former European Commissioner for Trade, the British Peter Mandelson, who has been questioned and investigated by the British police for his relationship with the American pedophile and billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
“Given that new documents have recently been published, we are examining and evaluating whether there has been any breach of the respective obligations,” a community spokesperson told EFE.
He added that “given the circumstances and the significant amount of documents that have been made public, the European Commission also asked OLAF on February 18 to examine the matter,” and assured that they are still “waiting for the ongoing evaluation.”
Mandelson was Trade Commissioner of the European Union (EU) during the first Commission of José Manuel Durão Barroso, between 2004 and 2008.
The former Labor minister and former ambassador to the US was arrested this Monday by the British authorities on suspicion of misconduct in public office, for allegedly having provided sensitive official information to the now deceased Epstein. The same Monday he was released on bail after being questioned.
It was during his time as Business Secretary in the Labor Government led by Gordon Brown, between 2008 and 2010, that he allegedly provided confidential financial information to Jeffrey Epstein about the imminent sale of British assets.
Additionally, ties to Epstein reportedly resulted in Mandelson being paid $75,000, bank documents show. The politician has not denied it, but said he “has no memory” of those payments.