Lord Mandelson faces claims he leaked No 10 emails to Jeffrey Epstein, including updates on economic policy. The Met is assessing possible misconduct, while Starmer urges the removal of his peerage. Downing Street correspondence from 2009 is said to have been shared.

US lawmakers are moving to order Lord Mandelson to provide evidence about a disgraced financier’s network. The House Oversight Committee believes he holds material on potential enablers and may issue a subpoena if he declines to cooperate. The step forms part of a wider inquiry into accountability.

Newly released emails reveal Jeffrey Epstein told Andrew he had a 26-year-old acquaintance to introduce, and show the pair remained in contact months after he said he cut ties. The cache also indicates Ghislaine Maxwell used his Caribbean island as her address.

Councillors across England are quitting in protest after local polls were scrapped amid reorganisation plans. Critics say cancelling May elections disenfranchises voters and erodes accountability; ministers insist restructuring makes ballots impractical.