The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it asked the Government not to release “certain documents” relating to Jeffrey Epstein.
A spokesman from Scotland Yard said the documents could “undermine our current investigation.”
The force has begun a criminal investigation into allegations Lord Peter Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to the convicted pedophile while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s Labour administration as it dealt with the 2008 financial crash and its aftermath.
Commander Ella Marriott said the force had asked the Government to pause the full release.
Commander Ella Marriott, from the Met, said: “As with any investigation, securing and preserving any potential evidence is vital.
“For this reason, when approached by the UK Government today with their intent to publish material, we reviewed it immediately and advised that the release of specific documents could undermine our current investigation.
“We therefore asked them not to release certain documents at this time.
“Going forward as material is made available to us, and if we identify further documents that we believe could prejudice our investigation, we will continue to ask the Government to pause their release until such time as the risk of prejudice no longer exists.”
Peter Mandelson resigned from the Lords yesterday
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GETTYCommander Marriott continued: “The integrity of our investigation is paramount to securing justice.
“We are grateful for their co-operation. We continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation.”
A Downing Street source told GB News Mandelson presented Epstein as “someone he barely knew” prior to his appointment as UK ambassador to the US.
They said: “Before Peter Mandelson was appointed, there had been reports that linked him with Jeffrey Epstein, including after he was first convicted. This was looked into as part of the appointment process, as the Prime Minister referenced today.”
Downing Street suggested Peter Mandelson lied to the Prime Minister about his links to Epstein
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The source continued: “Peter Mandelson lied to the Prime Minister, hid information that has since come to light and presented Epstein as someone he barely knew.
“In September, new information revealed the depth and extent of the relationship was materially different to what was known at the time of his appointment and that he had utterly misled the Prime Minister. He was swiftly sacked.”
The debate over the appointment has been raging on in the Commons.
Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald said he had “lingering concerns” about the process of releasing documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment despite a Government climbdown.
He criticised the “appalling failure of judgment” in appointing the peer, adding: “I think many of us have still got lingering concerns, firstly about the international relations issue, that could mean anything.”