Former UK ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson gets into a car outside his residence in central London on February 14, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

The British Metropolitan Police have asked the government not to publish a key exchange in which Downing Street asked former ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Citing two people familiar with the discussions, POLITICO reported on Monday that the police had requested the UK government to hold back the correspondence, in which Mandelson was asked three questions about his links to Epstein before his appointment as Britain`s ambassador to Washington in December 2024.

The sources added that the police wanted the government not to release the exchange at this time in order to avoid undermining a separate criminal investigation into Mandelson.

A police spokesperson said their focus remains on "a timely and thorough process," noting that "an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office is underway and it is vital... [so that] any potential prosecution is not compromised."

In September 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Mandelson as ambassador to the US over his association with Epstein.

Earlier this month, Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords and relinquished his membership of the UK`s Labour party.

Mandelson is being investigated by the police for misconduct in a public office after allegations that he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein when he was business secretary in 2009.

The latest release of files by the US Department of Justice revealed documents also suggest that Epstein made $75,000 (£55,000) in payments to Mandelson in three separate $25,000 transactions in 2003 and 2004.

Recently, US lawmakers asked Mandelson to testify to Congress over his links to the disgraced sex offender.

In their letter, they pointed out instances where Mandelson was photographed or mentioned in the 3.5 million Epstein documents released.

"While you no longer serve as British ambassador to the United States and have stepped down from the House of Lords, it is clear that you possessed extensive social and business ties to Jeffrey Epstein and hold critical information pertaining to our investigation of Epstein`s operations," the letter read.

The former UK ambassador to the US has been given until the end of February to respond.