Former Labour Party cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, one of the most notable politicians of the late 1990s and early 2000s, is back in the headlines once again.
On Monday, the former ambassador to the United States was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which are the same allegation faced by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Lord Mandelson was released on bail and was seen returning to his Camden home in the early hours of the morning.
Here's all you need to know about the former 'Prince of Darkness', including his political career, famous relatives and his younger husband.
Career
The 72-year-old, who has since resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords, first held elected office back in 1979, when he was elected to Lambeth Council. He resigned from the seat three years later. However, three years after his resignation, he was appointed as Labour's Director of Communications.
© Getty ImagesIn 1992, he was first elected to the House of Commons, winning the safe Labour seat of Hartlepool. Under Tony Blair's leadership, Lord Mandelson became a Shadow Spokesperson for the Civil Service, and when Labour swept to power in 1997, he became the Minister without Portfolio, before being appointed as Business and Trade Secretary. He was forced to resign from the hCabinet in 1998 after a scandal involving a home loan.
Ten months later, he returned as Northern Ireland Secretary, later resigning in 2001. In 2004, he resigned from Parliament in order to become the European Commissioner for Trade. He returned to UK politics in 2008, when then Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed him as Business Secretary, elevating Peter to the House of Lords. He remained in post until Labour lost the 2010 General Election.
© Getty ImagesIn 2024, he returned to frontline politics after being appointed as the UK's ambassador to the United States. However, in September 2025, he attracted further controversy due to his friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted paedophile.
Documents confirmed that Lord Mandelson kept a friendship with Jeffrey following his conviction in 2008. Further files alleged that Mandelson gave financial information to Jeffrey Epstein during the politician's time in office, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Famous relatives
Lord Mandelson is the grandson of Herbert Morrison, a Labour Party politician who was first elected in 1923. Herbert would serve in the House of Commons between 1923 and 1959, and held major positions of power, including Replica Luxury Handbag Secretary and Foreign Secretary.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesHerbert also served as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party between 1945 and 1956, and he was briefly Leader of the Opposition in 1955. Following his retirement from the House of Commons in 1959, Herbert was appointed to the House of Lords. He remained there until his death in 1965 at the age of 77.
Peter's husband
Peter is married to Brazilian translator Reinaldo Avila da Silva. The pair, who have a 19-year age difference, lived together in London for 27 years before finally getting married on 28 October 2023.
Writing in The Times, Lord Mandelson said: "After 27 unmarried years together, the question I am being asked is what took us both so long. I cannot speak for Reinaldo (I wouldn't dare) but for most of my life I never thought it would be possible. If I am honest, I also did not realise how much difference being married would make in the emotional comfort and strength it brings."
© PA Images via Getty ImagesIn the article, the politician spoke about a "hostile environment" against LGBTQ+ people in politics, including him being outed in the News of the World and on Newsnight, as well as rival politicians and his colleagues attempting to use his sexuality against him.
Concluding the piece, he penned: "Trying to retain our privacy has been a failure. So I am delighted to make it a glorious failure, by declaring our love publicly through marriage. There is nothing to hide so why create the impression there is? Reinaldo, meanwhile, is going to keep his own counsel and I don't blame him. But, for me, it is easier now to be gay and high profile and marriage has put a welcome seal on my happiness and on the past."
Reinaldo has likewise been implicated in the Epstein Files, with the disgraced financier transferring money to Reinaldo in 2009. The bank transfers, which were to help Reinaldo fund an osteopathy course, followed Jeffrey Epstein's release from prison after being convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
There is no indication that Reinaldo has done anything illegal.
