Met Police asks Labour NOT to release certain Mandelson documents

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."

Commander 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."

More to follow...

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