The late survivor’s family sang the praises of UK authorites for taking ‘meaningful action’ against those with ties to convincted paedophile and millionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein
The family of Virginia Giuffre have praised authorities for “treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand” in the wake of the arrest Lord Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Mandelson was released on bail just after 2am on Tuesday (Feburary 24), and still faces further investigation.
The former US ambassador has been accused of passing sensitive information onto convicted sex offender and well-connected financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.
Giuffre’s family have praised authorites in the UK for taking “meaningful action” against those connected to the convicted sex offender, with her brother Sky Roberts and his wife Amanda telling the BBC: “As Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s family, we commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand.
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“While these arrests aren’t for the underlying exploitation, they are a crucial step toward truth and accountability.
“The contrast with the continued inaction in the United States is undeniable. Survivors deserve transparency, swift investigation, and real justice, no matter who is implicated.”
On Monday afternoon, Feburary 23, footage surfaced of Mandelson being led out of his house by a plain-clothes police officer. The Metropolitan Police later confirmed the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for questioning.
Two of Mandelson’s properties were previously searched by police in connection with the allegations, which surfaced following the US Department of Justice’s document dump related to Epstein last month. Following the release of the Epstein files, Mandelson said he has “no recollection” of receiving payments totalling USD$75,000 (£55,000) from Epstein between 2003 and 2004, as documented bank records have indicated in the Epstein file tranche.
Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the financial crisis.
Mandelson’s arrest comes days after Andrew was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince was released under investigation.
Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former-Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king. The UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother, the Mirror understands.
Sir Keir Starmer will chair Cabinet later today in the wake of the former US ambassador’s arrest, while the Liberal Democrats will seek to force the public release of files relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy, as the former prince also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with the financier and convicted sex abuser while in the role.
Ms Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of Epstein, remembered now as concivted sex offender and paedohpile. He took his own life in jail before he could stand trial, while his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell remains behind bars. Maxwell alleged they trafficked her to Andrew when she was 17, a claim which Andrew has always denied. She April 2025 at her farm in Neergabby, Western Australia.
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