'Fighting his corner'

Attack lawyers and narrative control show peer is no pushover

- Daniel Boffey Chief reporter

For those seeking to understand Peter Mandelson’s media strategy as he navigates the greatest crisis of a crisis-strewn life, the latest instalment of the Epstein files may offer a steer.

“You and your lawyers must start setting down the irrefutable facts, build a narrative and fight back,” Mandelson had advised the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in May 2011, according to the emails released by the US Department of Justice.

He couldn’t think of a London public relations person that he liked - “truthfully no one springs to mind” - but then Mandelson had always trusted in his own ability to spin his way out of trouble.

However, he thought Epstein should tool up with a libel lawyer - and he suggested a notably aggressive one, the emails suggest.

Mandelson’s approach to the last 72 hours looks awfully familiar - and notably successful, with the headlines now dominated by what appears to have been a police foul-up.

On Monday afternoon, Mandelson was arrested at his Regent’s Park home on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 72-year-old - who has denied any wrongdoing and insisted he was not motivated by financial gain - did not shield his face as he was walked to the police car from his front door.

The media had already been informed two weeks previously that any queries about him should be directed to Mishcon de Reya, a firm of lawyers specialising in defamation that has a reputation for a pugnacious approach to reputation management.

Mandelson was released in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and again he made no effort to hide from the cameras outside his home.