Britain and Lithuania Move Fast with Criminal Investigations Against Epstein Pedophile Elite; DOJ Stalls After Files Release

British and Lithuanian authorities on Tuesday opened criminal investigations after a U.S. Department of Justice release of millions of pages tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein exposed previously hidden ties between the financier and prominent figures in both countries.

In London, the Metropolitan Police said detectives had launched a criminal probe into Peter Mandelson, 72, the former Labour Cabinet minister and until recently Britain’s ambassador to Washington, over alleged misconduct in public office. The force said reports reviewed met the threshold for a full investigation; commanders emphasized that opening an inquiry does not equate to arrest, charge or conviction.

The DOJ files include emails and messages suggesting Mandelson shared government information with Epstein between 2003 and 2010. Officials cited exchanges where Mandelson appears to have passed on internal notes and market-sensitive intelligence, including references to potential tax changes on bankers’ bonuses and a government report on asset sales after the 2008 financial crisis. One message reportedly told Epstein “sources tell me 500 b euro bailout” hours before European leaders announced a 500 billion euro support measure.

The British government submitted an assessment to police saying some documents contained “likely market-sensitive information” that should not have been shared outside government. Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, though prosecutions are rare and require proof that public trust was abused for an improper purpose.

IMAGE: Prince Andrew

Mandelson has resigned from the governing Labour Party and told peers he would retire from the House of Lords. Downing Street said it was preparing legislation that could remove his noble title — an extreme step not taken in over a century. Mandelson has acknowledged some exchanges with Epstein, denied wrongdoing, and said he will probe the authenticity of bank records that reportedly show payments from Epstein to accounts linked to him or his partner.

The released records also detail payments and gifts from Epstein to associates of Mandelson and others, and show the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein continued after Epstein’s 2008 Florida conviction for solicitation and procurement of a minor. British ministers described the revelations as a betrayal of Epstein’s victims and of public trust.

In Vilnius, Lithuania’s prosecutor general announced a pre-trial investigation into possible human trafficking after Lithuanian names and payments appeared in the DOJ files. President Gitanas Nausėda urged a thorough, principled probe and prosecutors said they would assess public material, examine relevant laws and cooperate internationally.

IMAGE: Mendelson

Lithuanian media reported that several models and cultural figures are mentioned in the files; at least one arts promoter linked to payments from Epstein has denied wrongdoing but withdrawn from festival duties amid public backlash. Authorities said they are analysing the extent and legality of any alleged activity and seeking information from international partners.

Across the Atlantic, the U.S. Justice Department has said its prior review of the files found insufficient evidence to bring additional federal charges tied to Epstein. Deputy Attorney General remarks last week reiterated that while the materials contain disturbing content, not every allegation or image meets prosecutorial thresholds. That position contrasts with renewed enforcement moves in the UK and Lithuania, where domestic legal standards and political fallout have compelled fresh inquiries.

The new probes highlight how the DOJ’s release has reverberated globally, prompting multiple jurisdictions to re-examine ties between Epstein and influential figures. Investigations in London and Vilnius are at early stages; both legal and political consequences will depend on what the authorities can verify in the sprawling trove of documents.