VI centre stage in Mandelson ‘who done it?’

The Virgin Islands has found itself at the centre of international speculation after it became embroiled in an unusual aspect of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

The territory made headlines across the United Kingdom after a senior British politician, Lord Peter Mandelson, was arrested by Scotland Yard last week because of an alleged tipoff that he was about to flee to the VI.

The story became even more unusual when House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle admitted to parliament that he was the one who told the police that Lord Mandelson — who was recently fired as US ambassador over his links to Mr. Epstein — might be a flight risk.

It was widely reported in the British media that Sir Lindsay had learned of Lord Mandelson’s alleged escape plans from a local VI source during his trip to the territory to address the House of Assembly last month.

UK reporter in VI

At least one UK media outlet dispatched a reporter to the territory to try and find Sir Lindsay’s source — but, at least so far, to no avail.

Meanwhile, multiple HOA members told the Beacon they didn’t know anything about the alleged tip.

One member responded, “It wasn’t me!”

Asked if Governor Daniel Pruce had any knowledge of who the source might be, or if he wanted to deny it was him, his office told the Beacon, “The police investigation into this matter is ongoing, and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment.”

Lord Mandelson originally had been scheduled to be interviewed by London’s Metropolitan Police in early March on suspicion of misconduct in public office. But following Sir Lindsay’s VI tip, officers arrested him at his North London home on Feb. 23 before keeping him in custody for 11 hours.

Here in the VI, some residents speculated that Sir Lindsay may have misinterpreted a joke. Others wondered if Lord Mandelson may have made previous inquiries about buying or renting a property in the territory, leading to an exaggerated rumour of intent to flee Britain.

But high-end realtors contacted by the Beacon said they had no knowledge of any property interest from the lord.

Epstein files

The partial release of the Epstein files in the United States has rocked the British establishment by exposing deep links between high-profile UK figures and Mr. Epstein, who was accused of operating a network that abused dozens of girls as young as 14 over several years.

As a result of the revelations in the files, Lord Mandelson and ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are facing police inquiries into allegations that they passed highly sensitive British government information to the deceased paedophile, who reportedly died by suicide in prison while awaiting trial in 2019.

Both deny any wrongdoing.

A ‘fantasy’

Lord Mandelson has described the idea that he was set to abscond to the VI as “fantasy.”

For his part, Sir Lindsay sought to clear the air in a statement to the House of Commons on Feb. 25.

“To prevent any inaccurate speculation, I’d like to confirm that, upon receipt of information, that I felt it was relevant I pass this on to the Metropolitan Police in good faith, as is my duty and responsibility,” he said.

The international scrutiny had some benefits for the territory, though: A senior British media figure told the Beacon that footage of the territory “looked lovely on the BBC Ten O’Clock News.”