A coalition of eminent legal scholars has called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to launch an immediate investigation into former European Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson.
The request comes following Mandelson’s arrest in the UK over alleged misconduct in public office linked to the late US convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter sent today, 76 academics affiliated with The Good Lobby Profs, a non-partisan network advocating for transparency in European Union governance, urge the EC to assess whether Mandelson breached his legal and ethical obligations as a Commissioner, particularly regarding integrity, independence, and discretion.
The signatories, led by Prof Alberto Alemanno (HEC, Paris) and Prof Laurent Pech (Middlesex University London), argue that Mandelson’s overlapping relationship with Epstein during his 2004–2008 tenure, a period covering highly sensitive trade negotiations, raises serious questions about potential misuse of confidential EU information.
Mandelson was arrested on February 23 by British police on suspicion of leaking confidential government information to Epstein.
While UK media have focused on Mandelson’s later role as a cabinet minister under then-prime minister Gordon Brown (2008–2010), the professors want scrutiny of his four-year term as EU Trade Commissioner. In that role, he oversaw negotiations including the Doha Development Round, EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, and EU-ASEAN trade disputes.
Documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest Mandelson’s ties to Epstein spanned 2002–2011, encompassing his entire EC term.
There are suspicions he may have tipped off Epstein about an EU bailout in 2010.
“The Commission cannot look away when credible concerns arise about the possible misuse of confidential information by a former Commissioner,” said Alemanno.
“If ethical obligations under EU law are to mean anything, they must be enforceable—even after a mandate ends.”
Epstein, a financial intermediary for hedge funds and private interests, would have found advance knowledge of EU trade positions invaluable, experts say.
The professors argue that the EC’s silence, while UK authorities investigate only the domestic national dimension, risks undermining the enforceability of post-mandate obligations for senior EU officials.
Together with over 60 law professors we asked @vonderleyen to open an investigation on Peter Mandelson’s exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein at the time the former was EU Trade Commissioner.
As reported by @POLITICOEurope #playbook Full text of the letter: https://t.co/fuXFtssoPO pic.twitter.com/votBMmneme
— Alberto Alemanno 🇪🇺 (@alemannoEU) February 26, 2026
The letter underscores that European Commissioners are bound by strict legal and ethical obligations both during and after their tenure and refer to three relevant articles.
Under Article 245 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Commissioners are required to behave with integrity and discretion, particularly concerning the acceptance of appointments or benefits after leaving office.
This provision is designed to prevent the misuse of privileged information or influence gained during their mandate.
Furthermore, Article 17(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) mandates that Commissioners must remain completely independent in the performance of their duties.
They are explicitly prohibited from seeking or taking instructions from any government, institution or external entity. This principle is fundamental to ensuring that EU decision-making remains impartial and free from undue influence.
The Code of Conduct for Members of the EC reinforces these obligations, explicitly prohibiting the use of confidential information obtained during a Commissioner’s term for any purpose other than the exercise of their official duties.
The professors emphasise there is no evident limitation period that would prevent the EC from investigating potential breaches of these rules.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, they argue that the EC not only has the competence but also the duty to investigate under the Treaties, the Code of Conduct and its broader institutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.
Therefore, the professors ask von der Leyen to open formally an institutional inquiry into whether Mandelson used, disclosed, or misappropriated any confidential information obtained in his capacity as European Commissioner for Trade for the benefit of Epstein, his associates, or any third party with a financial or commercial interest in EU trade policy.
This includes a comprehensive review of the released Epstein files, plus a review of EC files related to Mandelson’s activities as Trade Commissioner.
On top of this, the professors want the matter to be sent to the EC’s Independent Ethical Committee as well as the EU’s Inter-institutional Body for Ethical Standards.
All this needs to be co-ordinated with the UK law enforcement authorities, giving them full access to all relevant EC records, communications and documentation.
The professors urge the EC to issue a public statement and act with clarity towards the wider public.
They argue that failing to act would not only weaken the enforceability of ethical standards for former Commissioners but also send a dangerous signal that the EU is unwilling or unable to hold its highest-ranking officials accountable for potential misconduct.
“Inaction would risk compounding what is already a reputational crisis for European institutions, at a moment when the Commission’s credibility and democratic legitimacy are under sustained pressure,” the wrote.
Brussels Signal has approached the European Commission for a comment but at time of publishing no response has been received.
Three senior European Union figures have been officially charged for alleged fraud involving EU funds. https://t.co/dWQPcTP151
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) December 3, 2025
