Kingston and Surbiton MP Ed Davey has called for a full statutory enquiry to be held into child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties with Westminster. 

His demand comes after revelations former Labour politician Peter Mandelson gave the disgraced ex-financier access to internal government information when serving as business secretary. 

The former European Commissioner is alleged to have lobbied the treasury, on Epstein's behalf, to weaken the tax on bankers bonuses in 2009. 

He is also purported to have given the ex-banker advance warning of a €500bn EU bailout in 2010, and shared internal government economic assessments with him during the financial crisis. 

And it is further claimed he received three payments totalling $75,000 (£55,000) from the human trafficker between 2003-04. 

Posting on X yesterday (3 February), Davey said: "It's clear we need a full statutory inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's ties with the British political establishment and the impact on his victims, including the disgraceful leaks from Peter Mandelson and the impact on national security." 

This is not the first time the ex-EU Commissioner's relationship with Epstein has been subject to scrutiny. 

Last September he was forced to step down as US Ambassador, after it was revealed he failed to cut off contact with the former teacher following his 2008 conviction for sex trafficking. 

The latest revelations, however, appear far more damning, with the ex-MP for Hartlepool facing a police investigation over alleged misconduct in public office. 

He is also facing the possibility of losing his seat in the House of Lords, with the government drafting legislation which would allow him to be removed – a decision Davey has previously called for. 

He said: "It's the very least they can do for the victims and survivors of Epstein. If Mandelson has any shame left, he'll retire from the House of Lords today."