Mandelson asked to cooperate with US Congress Epstein probe

Peter Mandelson has been urged to answer questions as part of a US Congress investigation into paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a letter to Lord Mandelson, two Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee said it is "clear" the former British ambassador to the US "possessed extensive social and business ties" to Epstein.

They added Lord Mandelson holds "critical information" linked to their investigation to Epstein's operations and have requested he makes himself available for a transcribed interview.

Lord Mandelson has expressed his regret for his continued association with Epstein and apologised "to the women and the girls who suffered". The BBC has contacted him for comment.

The committee cannot compel Lord Mandelson to appear before the committee and the request has come from Democrats Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam.

The pair told Lord Mandelson they were seeking his "cooperation" with the committee's investigation into Epstein's "sex-trafficking operations".

They said it was seeking to "uncover the identities of Mr Epstein's co-conspirators and enablers and understand the full extent of his criminal operations".

The letter states: "While you no longer serve as British Ambassador to the United States and have stepped down from the House of Lords, it is clear that you possessed extensive social and business ties to Jeffrey Epstein and hold critical information pertaining to our investigation of Epstein's operations.

"Given the appalling allegations regarding Epstein's conduct, we request that you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with committee staff regarding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators."

They have asked Lord Mandelson to provide a response to them by 27 February.

A similar request asking Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to answer questions was made by 16 Democrats on the oversight committee in November last year.

Andrew was stripped of his titles, including "prince", last October following months of pressure over his ties to Epstein.

He has always denied wrongdoing.