Ó Ríordáin calls for EU Mandelson investigation

Labour MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the EU Commission to investigate Peter Mandelson and his time as an EU trade commissioner.

With the release of more Epstein Files over the weekend, attention has turned to former British EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson and his alleged involvement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Documents show Mandelson in contact with the late financier on a number of sensitive political and economic issues, such as the 2008 economic crash and the aftermath of the 2010 general election.

Ó Ríordáin said that Mandelson’s sharing of sensitive trade information is “concerning.”

“Following the latest release of information regarding Peter Mandelson passing sensitive trade information to Jeffrey Epstein during his term as UK business secretary, I have written to the EU Commission. I’m calling on them to investigate his actions during his time as EU trade commissioner,” the Labour MEP said.

“It is clear from material which has been leaked that Epstein was engaged in information brokerage.  Given the close personal connection to Epstein, I am deeply concerned. We must ensure that actions and decisions taken by Mandelson be scrutinised and investigated, and anyone implicated be held to account.”

The Northside Labour MEP has said he has written to the EU Commission asking for them to conduct a review of the Epstein files released by the United States Government to identify all communications between Peter Mandelson, Epstein and related parties during his period as Trade Commissioner, which ran from 2004 to 2008.

He called on the Commission to conduct a review of Commission files related to Peter Mandelson’s activities as trade commissioner to identify behaviour or activity which would indicate a conflict of interest or any other activity breaching EU rules, and to conduct a comprehensive review of the Epstein files to identify any other person with a potential conflict of interest or breach of EU rules.

“At a time when the EU is under concentrated attack from associates of Jeffrey Epstein, such as Elon Musk and others, we need to protect and defend the integrity and reputation of European Institutions and hold anyone who undermines them to account,” Ó Ríordáin said.