Sir Lindsay Hoyle has confirmed he passed information to the Metropolitan Police after receiving reports that Peter Mandelson might attempt to leave the country.
The Speaker said the information was shared “in good faith,” aiming to reassure the public about police intentions and transparency during concerns raised about a potential flight risk.
The comments follow media reports that an individual informed authorities that the former minister and former US ambassador (United Kingdom–US diplomatic role) might have been planning to travel to the British Virgin Islands.
According to The Times, a local source alerted the Speaker during his recent visit to the Caribbean territory that Mandelson was allegedly considering travel plans to the region.
The report suggested that the concern was relayed to UK law enforcement as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, which have significant political repercussions.
Responding to the reports in the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “To prevent any inaccurate speculation, I’d like to confirm that upon receipt of information that I felt it was relevant, I passed this on to the Metropolitan Police in good faith as is my duty and responsibility.”
No official statement has confirmed that Mandelson attempted to leave the UK, raising questions about the legal implications of the investigation.
Peter Mandelson has described reports that he was planning to flee the country as a “complete fiction,” emphasising his denial after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former Labour cabinet minister said he believed the arrest was linked to allegations that he was preparing to leave for the Caribbean, claims he strongly denied.
Mandelson, sometimes referred to in political commentary as the “Prince of Darkness” due to his reputation as a powerful and highly strategic operator within Labour Party (UK) politics, said he had already agreed to attend a voluntary police interview.
The Metropolitan Police arrested Mandelson on Monday afternoon amid an investigation into allegations related to the handling of sensitive information during his time in government, underscoring the seriousness of the inquiry.
He was reportedly held for approximately nine hours before being released on bail early Tuesday morning.
According to statements attributed to Mandelson, investigators had intended to interview him voluntarily in early March rather than arrest him.
A spokesman for the law firm Mishcon de Reya, who are acting on behalf of Mandelson said: “Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday [Monday] despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis. The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.
“There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPS for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest. Peter Mandelson’s overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.”
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