On 23 February, Lord Mandelson was arrested at his London home on charges of misconduct in public office and later released on bail pending further investigation. His lawyers said the arrest was made due to claims that he might leave the country, but described them as ‘baseless’. The Metropolitan Police declined to comment. The investigation relates to allegations that, while serving as a minister, he shared market-sensitive government information with the late convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officers executed search warrants at properties in Wiltshire and Camden before questioning him for nine hours. Lord Mandelson, who has always maintained that he has acted lawfully and done nothing wrong, says he is cooperating fully. Meanwhile, the police have finished searching the properties belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested on similar charges on 19 February.  He has also been released on bail.