Labour gives update on Mandelson files release following his arrest

Documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador are set to be released in early March, a Cabinet minister has said, after the former Labour grandee was arrested. Asked whether the Government still planned to go ahead with its plans to publish documents amid the police investigation, Education Secretary Bridget Philipson told Sky News: "My understanding is yes, but we do just need to be mindful of any documents we publish given the nature of the ongoing police investigation."

Ms Phillipson said: "So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing that's published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation." She insisted that the Government is treading with care to make sure nothing compromises the police probe.

The Education Secretary told LBC's Call the Cabinet: "We tread with care around the police investigation that nothing we publish could compromise the work that they now have under way, there's a live police investigation. We do want there to be transparency."

Host Nick Ferrari asked: "Without compromising any investigation or of course implying any guilt to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor or Peter Mandelson, how important is it, again, without implying guilt, if there are allegations of sex trafficking or this behaviour, as Minister for Women and Equalities, we find out everything and the necessary action is taken?"

Ms Phillipson said: "No-one’s above the law. These are potential crimes of the utmost seriousness, of the most horrific nature.

"And His Majesty the King has said that no-one is above the law and supports the police investigation that’s taking place at the moment."

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Lord Mandelson was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday morning after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former Labour minister has been accused of passing on information to billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary. He denies any wrongdoing and has previously apologised for his relationship with Epstein.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced intense criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the plum Washington role despite his links with the financier.

He agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment following pressure from opposition parties and some Labour MPs.