Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former Labour minister and US ambassador has been accused of passing on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary, with two of his properties searched by police.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”