British politician Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after detectives questioned him for hours over the alleged leaking of sensitive government information to the late convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, while a government minister in the early 2000s.

The former United Kingdom ambassador to Washington was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Tuesday. His arrest followed the detention of Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was also questioned over similar misconduct linked to Epstein.

The Epstein revelations have triggered investigations and resignations in Europe, but the fallout has been muted in the United States.

How have the Epstein files affected British politics?

The developments mark one of the sharpest reversals in recent British political life. Only months ago, Mandelson held one of the most senior (and coveted) diplomatic roles in the country.

He has since lost his post, faced a police raid at his home and now confronts the possibility of criminal charges. He has been forced to step down from the House of Lords, the unelected upper chamber of the UK parliament, and could be stripped of his title.

If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson as British ambassador – a move made while his popularity has plunged – triggered the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and has raised questions about whether he can see out his term.

The scandal has also engulfed the royal family. After Andrew was arrested for leaking sensitive reports during his time as British trade envoy – the first arrest of a senior royal in centuries – King Charles III said “the law must take its course.”

British royal biographer Andrew Lownie, who interviewed the late Virginia Giuffre – who accused Epstein of forcing her to have sex with Prince Andrew three times when she was 17 – has warned that the fallout could also “bring down King Charles”, as scrutiny intensifies over what he knew about his brother’s conduct.

The cases form part of a broader European response to newly released troves of Epstein-related documents from the US.

Across the continent, authorities have opened investigations, and several public figures have stepped down or lost positions.

What’s happened in Europe?

France has also moved. Former Culture Minister Jack Lang resigned from his role leading a Paris cultural institution after the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs sought to question him over contacts with Epstein.

In Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been charged with “gross corruption” following disclosures that he stayed at Epstein’s properties in New York and Florida and visited his private island, as well as having the late sex offender cover his expenses and those of his family. He faces up to a decade in prison if convicted.

Norway’s ambassador to Jordan, Mona Juul, also resigned after reports that Epstein left $10m to her children in his will.

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway apologised after documents showed she had holidayed at one of Epstein’s properties.

In Slovakia, national security adviser Miroslav Lajcak stepped down after disclosures about his association with Epstein surfaced. Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed he accepted the resignation.

For many in Europe, simply appearing in the files has triggered public scrutiny, investigations or resignations.

Governments have treated the document releases as grounds for formal inquiry, even when criminal liability remains unclear.

Why has there been less of a fallout in the United States?

In the US, public anger has simmered for years. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie have led a bipartisan effort to release the files, using the term “Epstein class” to describe a wealthy elite who believe themselves to be above the law.

Yet criminal accountability beyond Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell has remained limited. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking offences.

FBI documents identify eight alleged co-conspirators, including the former CEO of Victoria’s Secret, Lex Wexner, Epstein’s former secretary Lesley Groff and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died in custody in France.

None, apart from Maxwell, has faced a US criminal conviction in connection with Epstein’s trafficking case.

The lack of accountability has spanned Democratic and Republican presidents.

Epstein first avoided federal prosecution in 2007-08 through a controversial non-prosecution agreement reached during the administration of George W Bush.

Subsequent administrations under Barack Obama, Donald Trump’s first terms and Joe Biden did not bring sweeping new prosecutions tied to the broader network named in the files.

There is no sign that any prosecutions are under way, despite Congress forcing Trump to release the files.

Who has been affected in the US?

Several prominent Americans have stepped back from roles or faced reputational damage.

Former US Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers took leave from academic duties at Harvard University after scrutiny over his ties to Epstein.

Lawyer Brad Karp resigned as chair of the law firm Paul Weiss. The National Football League said it would review correspondence between Epstein and New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch.

Longevity specialist and high-profile physician Peter Attia issued an apology and resigned from his role as chief science officer at David Protein over emails exchanged with Epstein. He also stepped down as a CBS News contributor.

Others named in communications with Epstein have not faced formal charges.

Among them are former White House strategist Steve Bannon, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and technology billionaire Elon Musk, who has said he never visited Epstein’s island despite discussing the possibility in emails.

Former President Bill Clinton has testified before Congress regarding his friendship with Epstein.

Trump, who also knew Epstein for years and appears thousands of times in the released documents, has denied wrongdoing, as has the White House.

The U.S. military said on Monday that it struck a vessel in the Caribbean, killing three men, the latest such incident in recent months.

President Donald Trump’s administration has touted its success at taking out suspected drug trafficking vessels in the area.

The military said in a post on X the vessel was “engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”

Reuters could not immediately verify the information.

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(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Costas Pitas; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

President Vladimir Putin said the development of Russia’s nuclear triad was an “absolute priority” Monday as he outlined the country’s stance on its weapons program, according to reports.

Marking Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day, the Russian leader spoke about strengthening the country’s nuclear capabilities before presenting state awards to officers involved in the invasion of Ukraine, the Moscow Times reported.

In his speech, Putin referred to the Russian nuclear triad, which is the country’s three-pronged system for delivering nuclear weapons, designed to ensure a credible second-strike capability. 

Putin described its development as “an absolute priority,” saying that it “guarantees Russia’s security and ensures effective strategic deterrence and a balance of forces in the world.”

Putin also emphasized his country would continue to strengthen its army and navy, “taking into account developments in the international situation, based on combat experience gained,” amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

He added that Russia would also “significantly” enhance the capabilities of other branches of the armed forces, increasing their combat readiness, mobility, and ability to operate in all conditions, even the most challenging.

“And, of course, we will accelerate the development of advanced systems for the armed forces,” he added.

Putin’s remarks came after Russia suspended its participation in the New START Treaty on Feb. 5, 2023, the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between Moscow and Washington.

RUSSIA FIRES NEW HYPERSONIC MISSILE IN MASSIVE UKRAINE ATTACK, KREMLIN SAYS

The treaty limited the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems each country could have.

Russian officials have said they will continue to take a “responsible” approach to managing their strategic nuclear arsenal and would respect previously established limits.

Putin’s announcement came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the Russian leader had effectively launched “World War III” with his invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

“I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him… Putin will not stop at Ukraine,” Zelenskyy told the BBC in an interview Feb. 23.

RUSSIA SHIFTS FROM TALK TO ACTION, TARGETING NATO HOMELAND AMID FEARS OF GLOBAL WAR

Zelenskyy described the war as part of Putin’s broader attempt to impose a “different way of life” on the world.

“Stopping Putin today and preventing him from occupying Ukraine is a victory for the whole world,” he said.

However, when asked about the possibility of ceding the embattled Donbas region to Moscow as part of a peace deal, he warned that Russia would likely rebuild its military strength within “no more than a couple of years” and launch another invasion.

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“Where would he go next? We do not know, but that he would want to continue [the war] is a fact,” Zelenskyy said.

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