03.02.2026 21:38
Balazs Ujvari, a spokesperson for the European Commission (EC), announced that they will investigate whether the Commission's former Member responsible for Trade, Peter Mandelson, violated conduct rules due to his relationship with billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while being prosecuted for allegedly running a prostitution ring involving underage girls in the United States.
The European Commission will investigate whether former member Peter Mandelson violated the code of conduct due to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the related legal proceedings.
Balazs Ujvari, a spokesperson for the European Commission (EC), answered journalists' questions at the daily press conference in Brussels.
TO BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO CONNECTION WITH FORMER COMMISSION MEMBER EPSTEIN
Ujvari stated that there are codes of conduct that former EU Commission members must also adhere to, and in light of new documents released regarding billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in prison while being prosecuted for allegedly running a prostitution ring targeting underage girls in the U.S., they will assess whether former European Commission member Mandelson violated these rules.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In correspondence that emerged on September 9, 2025, it was revealed that Mandelson, who was serving as the UK Ambassador to Washington at the time, referred to Epstein as "my best friend."
Having held many official positions for his country, the UK, Mandelson was removed from his position as UK Ambassador to Washington on September 11, 2025, after his relationship with Epstein came to light, having started that role in February of the same year. Additionally, Mandelson served as the Member of the European Commission responsible for Trade from 2004 to 2008.