Mandelson under formal investigation by EU's anti-fraud office

The EU's anti-fraud office confirms it has "sufficient information" to launch an investigation, but does not say if it involves fraud.

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Lord Mandelson served as European trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008. The European Commission asked the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) two months ago to look into allegations of misconduct during that four-year period.

Olaf confirmed on Friday that it had recently had "sufficient information" to launch an investigation, but said it was too early to say whether or not it involved allegations of fraud.

After Lord Mandelson left Brussels, he became UK business secretary until 2010.

Olaf is expected to look at exchanges with Epstein from Lord Mandelson's time as EU commissioner. It has confirmed its mandate covers all four years, and is limited to staff and members of EU institutions.