The UK’s criminal probe into Peter Mandelson has reportedly stalled because the US Justice Department has declined to release evidence from the Jeffrey Epstein files. These records pertain to the deceased convicted sex offender, and Scotland Yard views them as potentially vital to their case against Mandelson, a former business secretary and EU commissioner. Although the Metropolitan Police requested the information voluntarily, the US authorities are requiring a formal Mutual Legal Assistance request, a procedure for sharing evidence between nations, as reported by The Telegraph. This could delay proceedings for months or even more than a year, impacting the investigation into Mandelson, who was detained in February on suspicion of misconduct while in office. Even direct pleas from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley to US Ambassador Warren Stephens, along with Rowley’s visit to Washington in March, have not advanced the matter, per the report. In a related development involving document access, Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Smith stated yesterday that the Foreign Office withheld a summary of Mandelson’s security clearance. During a parliamentary committee session, Smith explained she obtained the file directly from UK Security Vetting after the then-Foreign Office chief, Olly Robbins—who was later dismissed—refused to supply it. Additional details on this are available separately. In other developments: Lawmakers face a decision on the assisted dying legislation, which may expire as its final discussion concludes in the House of Lords today. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, approved by the House of Commons nearly a year ago, has encountered over 1,280 amendments in the Lords. The measure would permit terminally ill adults with less than six months to live to request medical assistance in ending their lives, but advocates now worry it will not pass. Reform UK has invited steel industry leaders to propose an alternative plan to counter the government’s recent strategy, raising concerns amid the party’s efforts to appeal in traditional Labour strongholds under Nigel Farage’s leadership. The party aims to capitalize on frustration with elevated business energy costs, worsened by the conflict involving Iran, which are harming steel firms and manufacturing overall. Responses from the sector have varied. Donald Trump has warned of applying a substantial tariff on the UK unless it eliminates its digital services tax targeting American social media companies. Implemented in 2020, the tax applies a 2% charge on revenues from major US technology firms. Trump remarked, ‘We’ve examined it and can address it simply by imposing a large tariff on the UK, so they should watch out.’ Today’s schedule includes: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch hosting a rally in Swindon alongside shadow transport secretary Richard Holden. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey participating in a tea dance and visiting residents at a care home in Wokingham. Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski conducting a press conference in Glasgow.
