The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson following claims he passed market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein.

It comes amid cross-party condemnation of Mandelson as documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday suggest he passed on internal government information while he was serving in Gordon Brown's cabinet in 2009 and 2010.

Here's an overview of the day:

• The government said it was drafting legislation that would strip Mandelson of his peerage, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Mandelson had "let his country down"
• It was then announced by the Lords Speaker that Mandelson is retiring from the House of Lords - although without legislation he will retain his "Lord" title

• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it only "increases the scrutiny" on Starmer for appointing Mandelson as US ambassador last year. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said Mandelson "jumped before he was pushed" and that there should be an inquiry into the allegations
• Earlier in the day, Cabinet minister Wes Streeting had said he couldn't see how the specific allegations against Mandelson "could have been known" prior to his appointment as ambassador

• Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Conservatives are setting up a vote on securing the release of information regarding Mandelson's vetting
• Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment in response to allegations he forwarded on sensitive government information - on Sunday he reiterated his regret for "ever having known Epstein" and cast doubt on the authenticity of some documents
• Our political editor Chris Mason said earlier this evening that he understands Mandelson maintains he’s not acted criminally or for personal gain

We're ending our live coverage now. You can read more in our news story here.

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Lord Mandelson’s husband never completed the osteopathy course for which Jeffrey Epstein paid £10,000, the General Osteopathic Council says.

The latest files released by the US Department of Justice included emails which suggest that Epstein agreed to provide Reinaldo Avila da Silva with funding for the course.

According to a statement from the General Osteopathic Council, da Silva did not complete the course and has never been a registered osteopath in the UK.

The statement says: "We are aware of media reports that the husband of Peter Mandelson, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, was in receipt of funds from Jeffrey Epstein to fund an osteopathy course in the UK in 2009.

"Reinaldo Avila da Silva did not graduate from an osteopathy course and has never been registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Therefore, he is not able to practise osteopathy in accordance with the law within the UK."

Mandelson has previously told the BBC his relationship with Epstein had been a "most terrible mistake" and he was "wrong" to continue associating with him following his conviction.

There is no suggestion da Silva was involved in any wrongdoing.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says it's "right" that there is a criminal investigation into allegations Mandelson passed on sensitive government information.

But she tells broadcasters that it "should not distract from the fact that the prime minister appointed a man who was the close friend and associate of a notorious and convicted paedophile".

She says Starmer has "a lot of questions to answer".

Cabinet minister Wes Streeting earlier defended the prime minister's actions in both how he appointed and later dismissed Mandelson from his role as US ambassador.

Chris Mason
Political editor

A government spokesperson says: "The government stands ready to provide whatever support and assistance the police need."

The Metropolitan Police confirms an investigation has been launched into alleged misconduct in public office.

In a statement, Commander Ella Marriott says: “Following the further release of millions of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice, the Met received a number of reports into alleged misconduct in public office including a referral from the UK Government.

“I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police has now launched an investigation into a 72-year-old man, a former Government Minister, for misconduct in public office offences.

“The Met will continue to assess all relevant information brought to our attention as part of this investigation and won’t be commenting any further at this time.”

Labour figures angry, and sense in Westminster that Mandelson's explanation doesn't washpublished at 18:42 GMT

18:42 GMT

Chris Mason
Political editor

This is an emerging political scandal involving a single individual building to perhaps the biggest for a generation.

What sets this apart from other political rows is the breadth of horror, even disgust.

Yes, of course, opposition parties seek to scrutinise and capitalise – as you’d expect. But it is Labour figures who are most angry tonight.

One tells the BBC he was “shaking with anger” at the revelations; others feel deeply betrayed.

Downing Street is clearly keen to be seen to be responding quickly to all this, which brings us to a potential crunch point tomorrow.

The Conservatives are in the process of putting together what is known as a “Humble Address” to put before the House of Commons tomorrow afternoon - calling for papers from the government.

As for Lord Mandelson, he has said nothing publicly today.

I understand he maintains that he’s not acted criminally and did not act for personal gain – and argues that while confronting in the late 2000s the biggest financial crisis in decades, sought Epstein’s expertise in the national interest.

There’s an overwhelming sense at Westminster that this explanation doesn’t wash.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

We're yet to hear the specifics of what would be included in the Metropolitan Police's investigation into Lord Mandelson.

Last night, Metropolitan Police Commander Ella Marriott said the force had received "a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office" after the latest batch of Epstein files were released.

She said that: "The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation."

Since then, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he has written to the head of the force to share correspondence relating to Mandelson.

In a statement, he called Mandelson's alleged correspondence with Epstein "an inexcusable and unpatriotic act".

Downing Street has also said the Cabinet Office has referred material to the police after an initial review of Epstein files documents.

Daniel Sandford
UK correspondent

The BBC understands that the Metropolitan Police is to launch a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson.

We'll bring you more on this development as we get it.

The Duke of Edinburgh says it is "really important" to remember Jeffrey Epstein's victims as his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faces growing pressure to give evidence over what he knows about the late sex offender.

It's the first comments from a senior royal since Andrew was pictured in the latest tranche of documents relating to Epstein.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and being mentioned in the documents is not an indication of wrongdoing.

Prince Edward was speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. He was asked by a CNN journalist how he was "coping" with the fallout from the files.

The duke replied: "Well, with the best will in the world, I'm not sure this is the audience that is the least bit interested in that."

However, he added: "I think it's all really important always to remember the victims, and who are the victims in all this."

• You can read more on this story here

Harry Farley
Political correspondent

Reform UK has indicated it will vote with the Conservatives tomorrow to try and force the government to release what information it knew about Lord Mandelson’s contact with Jeffrey Epstein when they appointed him US ambassador.

But Reform MP Robert Jenrick - who until recently was the Conservatives' shadow justice secretary - has another ask.

He wants Mandelson’s ministerial pension removed. The allowance is given in addition to the pension MPs receive, and is for those who have served as government ministers.

Jenrick writes in a letter to the prime minister: “In light of the appalling circumstances, Mandelson’s ministerial pension must be confiscated and donated to a charity that helps the survivors of sexual abuse."

Chris Mason
Political editor

The Conservatives are in the process of putting together what is known as a "humble address” to put before the House of Commons tomorrow afternoon.

It is a parliamentary mechanism that calls for papers from the government. Humble addresses, if agreed, are understood to be binding on the House.

The Tories have devoted considerable time today, I am told, to ensure the wording makes it very difficult for Labour MPs to vote against it.

The Conservatives hope, if the vote is won, they can secure the release of information relating to the vetting procedure prior to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States - including what No 10 knew, and what was asked for.

The debate is expected to happen shortly after Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says Mandelson "jumped before he was pushed" as he reacts to the news that the Labour peer has resigned from his position in the House of Lords.

"I'm pleased he has retired," Davey tells broadcasters, as he reiterates his position that "we need to reform the whole House of Lords system".

"It's antiquated, and there should be a much easier route to make sure that peers who have broken the law or transgressed severely are asked to leave," he adds.

Davey also repeats calls he made earlier while speaking to the BBC for a public inquiry into Mandelson's links to Epstein and allegations he passed on sensitive government information to him.

Mandelson has been approached for comment.

Dominic Casciani
Home and legal correspondent

Last September, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the department’s top official told MPs that Lord Mandelson was vetted after his selection as US ambassador was announced, external.

They said that was completed before he began work in Washington, and was carried out to the "usual standard".

The British government, like others, has a system to vet who takes on a public post - and anyone who becomes ambassador to the US is subject to the highest form of scrutiny, known as "developed vetting" (DV).

This means they can have frequent and uncontrolled access to top-secret material, including information as sensitive as the UK’s nuclear arsenal or specific threats to the nation.

DV is designed to be intrusive.

A trained investigator interviews the individual and takes a deep look into their lives, including their finances.

They will also look for anything in a person’s life that may compromise them - such as hidden debts, secret relationships or undeclared drug or gambling habits. They might ask to interview other family members too.

The point of all this is simple. Investigators are not judging the behaviour itself - but whether a hidden behaviour or issue in someone’s life could be used to corrupt or influence them if they want to keep it secret.

Image source, PA Media

A little earlier we heard from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who endorsed the decision to seek to remove Mandelson's peerage, but says it is "not the issue of the day".

"The issue of the day," Farage tells a press conference, is that "not only did this man breach cabinet confidentiality, but he leaked highly market-sensitive information”.

As we've been reporting, the latest tranche of Epstein file documents suggest Mandelson sent Epstein sensitive information while serving in government, including giving Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout from the EU to save the Euro in 2010.

Farage was a member of the European Parliament at the time, and he says: “Anybody that had that information, that had access to money and funds of the kind that Epstein did… If he made tens of millions out of it, he was lax, because there was a chance to make hundreds of millions."

The Clacton MP criticised Starmer, saying he made a "grave error of judgement" by appointing Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his associations with Epstein.

Mandelson has not yet responded to BBC requests for comment in relation to allegations he sent sensitive information to Epstein while in government.

A little earlier Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to the BBC about Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as his ambassador to the US - here's more on what Streeting had to say.

As part of the vetting process for that appointment, Starmer "sought assurances from Peter Mandelson about his associations with Jeffrey Epstein which clearly did not cover the whole truth", Streeting says.

The health secretary says that Mandelson is the person at fault, and says he can't see how the specific allegations against Mandelson that have been made since the release of files on Friday "would have been known or could have been known" when he was appointed to be the US ambassador.

Streeting refers to emails in the files which suggest Mandelson forwarded internal government information to Epstein in June 2009 when serving in Brown's government.

The health secretary says "what Peter Mandelson did was totally wrong", adding it's "undermining them [Brown and his then chancellor Alistair Darling] and undermining the work of this government, and it's a betrayal of the country and the national interest".

After documents were released in September - which revealed Mandelson had sent supportive messages to Epstein as he faced charges for sex offences in 2008 - Streeting says Starmer's actions were "swift and decisive".

He says the PM acted "immediately" upon finding out that "the assurances that he had received through the vetting process had turned out to be false reassurances" and removed Mandelson as ambassador.

Mandelson has been approached for comment.

Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown says he has written to the head of the Metropolitan Police to share correspondence relating to Peter Mandelson.

In a statement, Brown refers to some of Mandelson's alleged correspondence with Epstein as "an inexcusable and unpatriotic act at a time when the whole government and country were attempting to address the global financial crisis".

"I have sent Sir Mark correspondence, exchanged between myself and the cabinet secretary last year, and I have also passed over information arising from it that may be important," he says.

He details other correspondence he has provided, and adds: "Having drawn their attention to relevant evidence, the matter now rests in the hands of the police."

Mandelson has been approached for comment.

Image source, PA Media

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has just reacted to news that Mandelson is stepping down from the House of Lords.

"Five months ago Mandelson was UK ambassador with the full confidence of the PM. Today he is no longer the ambassador, in Labour or a peer," she writes on social media.

"The scandal, sleaze, and speed of his downfall only increases the scrutiny on Starmer and [his chief of staff Morgan] McSweeney’s decision to send him to Washington," she adds.

Earlier, Badenoch said it was "shocking" that Mandelson was appointed as UK ambassador to the US last year by the Labour government.

The BBC has approached Mandelson for comment.

Mandelson's career may be over, but others in Westminster will continue to face scrutinypublished at 15:52 GMT

15:52 GMT

Harry Farley
Political correspondent

I’m not sure Peter Mandelson had much choice about this. Downing Street said this morning that officials were preparing legislation to remove his title and force him out of the House of Lords.

Now, Mandelson's essentially decided that he will get ahead of that and retire himself.

It doesn’t mean that he loses his official title as Lord Mandelson - that would still require an Act of Parliament, but there’s a question of whether he chooses to continue to use that.

As Mandelson steps down from the House of Lords, it’s clear that his position was really becoming untenable. There was really no other way forward for him given Downing Street’s intention to pass legislation, and the fact they said they have now passed information to the police.

Now the question will focus on Keir Starmer and his decision to appoint Mandelson as his US ambassador a year ago.

Tomorrow, the Conservatives are likely to push a vote on releasing information around what was known about Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein when he was appointed as ambassador. It’s going to be very difficult for the government to ask Labour MPs to vote against that.

The political ramifications of this saga are yet to be fully known. Mandelson’s long career may be over, but the focus will be on whether the fallout has implications for other political careers.

Chris Mason
Political editor

A Downing Street spokesperson says: "It is right that Peter Mandelson will no longer be a member of the House of Lords.

"As the prime minister said this morning, Peter Mandelson let his country down."

In the last few moments we heard that Lord Mandelson intends to retire from the House of Lords from tomorrow.

He can make that move because the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 enables a life peer to resign from being a member of the upper chamber.

But the title of a life peerage cannot be relinquished, the House of Lords library says, it can only be removed by an Act of Parliament.

That means a retired peer does not lose their title, but are disqualified from attending proceedings in the upper chamber.

The last known instance of legislation being passed to strip someone of a peerage was in 1917, which was used to remove peerages from "enemies" of the UK during World War One.

A reminder: Earlier today, Downing Street said officials are drafting legislation that would allow Mandelson's peerage to be removed "as quickly as possible".