The European anti-fraud agency OLAF has started an investigation into Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States. The agency is investigating Mandelson for the period he was EU trade commissioner. OLAF has not yet provided any further details.
Source: Reuters, The Telegraph
Lord Mandelson was EU Trade Commissioner between 2004 and 2008, before former Labor Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave him a life title and brought him back into government as Business Secretary.
OLAF investigators have reportedly been studying the Epstein files to determine whether there was any misconduct during his tenure as EU commissioner. It is unclear whether the investigation relates to a specific allegation.
Controversial ties with Russian oligarch
One possible reason for OLAF’s investigation is the accusation that Mandelson had shady ties to a Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska.
Earlier this year, David Davis, a former Conservative minister, claimed that Mandelson’s relationship with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska “may be as bad as his with Epstein.”
“As European Trade Commissioner, Mandelson made decisions that benefit Deripaska’s company $200 million annually [148 miljoen pond] “, he said during a speech in the House of Commons in February. “Mandelson evaded a thorough investigation by lying about when his relationship with Deripaska began.”
