The Metropolitan Police has been praised for “stepping up to the plate” and acting with “dynamism” following the explosive fallout from Sir Keir Starmer’s latest Prime Minister’s Questions performance.
Former Metropolitan Police Detective Peter Bleksley made his feelings clear on Scotland Yard’s investigation into Lord Mandelson’s friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The searches follow allegations relating to market-sensitive leaks and links between government figures and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Bleksley pointed to the rare speed with which the Metropolitan Police has moved in this high-stakes political investigation.
He said: “I think the Metropolitan Police need to be given suitable praise here for clearly grasping the seriousness of the situation and acting very swiftly.
“Some 48 hours after PMQs on Wednesday, they’ve searched two addresses. Clearly, I would imagine they were looking for devices very important ones and possibly paperwork.
“And yes, in this situation, the often-criticised Met Police has clearly stepped up to the plate, grasped the nettle and acted accordingly.
“From what we can ascertain, it seems they were allowed into the properties or entered without the use of force. It didn’t look like a raid.
Peter Bleksley said that the police response was ‘swift and dynamic’
|
GB NEWS
“We haven’t got any video footage of it, but it appears they went about their business quite calmly, in a rather orderly fashion.”
He added: “Policing is so often about dynamism acting in a dynamic way. Say, for example, when wanted people who are very dangerous are on the loose.
“I know that’s a completely different set of circumstances, but the police are used to acting very, very quickly in response to terrorism, threats, murderers and suchlike.
“This is a completely different case, of course, but it still demanded prompt action because many millions of people in the country certainly judging by what I’m seeing on social media platforms are saying, ‘What on earth is going on here? How could this appointment have been made?’
LATEST ON LORD MANDELSON
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart confirmed the searches were connected to an ongoing inquiry into misconduct in public office offences involving a 72-year-old man
|
GB NEWS
“They’re not happy with statements from the Prime Minister and other politicians.
“The police have really grasped this. They have absolutely understood the gravity of the situation and the need for prompt action.”
Officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team executed warrants at an address in the Camden area of north London and a second property in Wiltshire on Friday afternoon.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart confirmed the searches were connected to an ongoing inquiry into misconduct in public office offences involving a 72-year-old man.
“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing,” she stated.
Police were observed outside Lord Mandelson’s £2million Regent’s Park residence during the operation.
The investigation was launched on Tuesday following allegations that the former Labour minister passed market-sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with the probe triggered after MPs reported concerns to police.
Sir Keir Starmer has separately ordered an inquiry into possible misconduct.
Lord Mandelson has denied any allegations of criminal conduct and rejected suggestions that financial gain motivated his actions, according to reports.
The scandal erupted following the release of approximately three million files relating to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice.
These documents prompted scrutiny of the 72-year-old peer’s past dealings with the convicted paedophile financier. The Times reported that Lord Mandelson faces allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information from Downing Street to Epstein.
MPs subsequently referred the matter to police, triggering the current investigation into potential misconduct in public office.