Lord Mandelson's arrest sparked by 'baseless' suggestion he was flight risk, lawyers claim
The lawyers representing Lord Mandelson claim the reason for his arrest was "baseless", as ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand reports
Lord Peter Mandelson's lawyers claim his arrest was prompted by a "baseless suggestion" that he was "planning to leave the country".
A spokesman for the law firm Mischon de Reya, on behalf of Mandelson, said: "Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.
"The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.
"There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion.
"We have asked the MPS for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest.
"Peter Mandelson's overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name."
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Lord Mandelson was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former Labour minister has been accused of passing highly sensitive government information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary under former prime minister Gordon Brown.
Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September after Downing Street said fresh revelations about his relationship with Epstein had emerged.
He resigned from the House of Lords earlier this month, following the release of the so-called Epstein files; however, due to parliamentary procedure, he retains his title.
Lord Mandelson has not publicly commented in recent weeks on the Epstein files. According to the BBC, he is understood to believe he has not committed any offence.
ITV News has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.
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