Lord Mandelson has declined a request from US lawmakers to give evidence to Congress about his links to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The former UK ambassador to Washington had been invited by the US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein.
Democrat congressmen Suhas Subramanyam and Robert Garcia wrote to the ex-Labour peer urging him to appear before the committee as a matter of “urgency”, saying it was “clear” he had extensive “social and business ties” to the disgraced financier.
However, Lord Mandelson declined the request, citing the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police into allegations of misconduct in public office.
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Because he is a foreign citizen living overseas, the US Congress cannot compel him to testify.
Lawmakers had asked him to respond by February 27 and referenced material released through the Epstein Files Transparency Act linking him to the financier, including a handwritten birthday note referring to him as his “best pal” and a message sent in 2008 when Epstein faced charges for soliciting a minor.
Lord Mandelson joins Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in declining to appear before Congress.
The former Duke of York previously refused to testify in November despite renewed scrutiny following the release of new images from the Epstein files.
Lord Mandelson has turned down testifying in front of Congress
|PA
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton gave evidence to the oversight committee on Thursday, telling lawmakers she had never met Epstein or visited his private island.
Her husband, Bill Clinton, also testified and denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
He told investigators he would never have flown on Epstein’s private jet, often referred to as the “Lolita Express”, and said he would have “turned himself in” had he known about the offences.
Both Clintons had initially attempted to avoid testifying but faced potential legal action if they ignored congressional subpoenas.
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Congressmen Robert Garcia (left), Ro Khanna (centre-left), Suhas Subramanyam (centre-right), and Wesley Bell (right)
|GETTY
The wife of Bill Clinton, she testified that she had never met Epstein, visited his island, and had "no idea" about his criminal activity.
Bill Clinton also testified to Republicans on the House oversight committee, also denying that he was aware of Epstein's crimes.
He said he would have never flown on Epstein plane, nicknamed the Lolita Express, and would have "turned himself in" if he had been aware of the convicted paedophile's crimes.
Both of the Clintons had sought to avoid testifying, but were threatened with legal action if they continued to ignore subpoenas by Congress.
PICTURED: Lord Mandelson appearing to talk to a woman in his underwear in the Epstein files
| DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICELord Mandelson was arrested on February 23 after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle alerted police to concerns he might attempt to leave the UK for the British Virgin Islands.
The Labour peer previously served as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown.
The former Labour PM has since written to several police forces asking them to investigate whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor used taxpayer-funded flights or RAF bases to meet Epstein during his time as trade envoy.
Lord Mandelson has not publicly commented on the congressional request but has previously insisted he did not act criminally and did not seek financial gain from his actions.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has also repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to his links with Epstein.
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