LONDON, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has been released under investigation after being arrested last month, British media reported on Friday.

Peter Mandelson leaves his home in London, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Photo via AP)

"A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released under investigation. The investigation remains ongoing," Sky News quoted a Metropolitan Police spokesperson as saying, as both the media outlet and The Guardian have confirmed the identity of the man to be Peter Mandelson.

Sky News said Mandelson was released in the early hours of the following morning.

The Metropolitan Police in London said on February 23 that Mandelson had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. According to the statement, officers arrested the man at an address in Camden and took him to a London police station for questioning.

Reports added that Mandelson's lawyers called the claim a "baseless suggestion," saying he had already agreed to attend a voluntary interview.

In late January, the U.S. Justice Department made public a large cache of files related to the dead American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny in Britain. British police confirmed later that they had opened a criminal investigation into Mandelson over alleged misconduct while in public office, including the possible disclosure of market-sensitive information.

Mandelson previously served as a senior cabinet minister under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was appointed ambassador to Washington in early 2025 but was dismissed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after seven months as questions over his past resurfaced.