Dear Secretariat General of the European Commission,

I submit this request for access to documents pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (“the Regulation”), as well as Article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

I. Context and Public Interest Justification

On 23 February 2026, Lord Peter Mandelson was arrested by Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with the alleged leaking of confidential government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation follows the release by the US Department of Justice of documents suggesting that Mandelson may have systematically passed sensitive political and financial intelligence to Epstein and his network of wealthy clients during his time as a UK Cabinet minister (2008–2010).

Critically, public reporting has largely overlooked that Lord Mandelson also served as European Commissioner for Trade from November 2004 to October 2008 — a period that substantially overlaps with his documented relationship with Epstein (2002–2011). EU Observer reported that "Mandelson had written numerous emails with child sex-trafficker Epstein during his time as EU trade commissioner between 2004 and 2008, including discussions about visiting an island and lobbying for a pardon", based on the release of the Epstein files (https://euobserver.com/201093/eu-has-no-...).

As Trade Commissioner, he had access to highly sensitive EU negotiating positions, internal market assessments, and confidential trade intelligence of significant commercial value, including in relation to the Doha Round, EU–India and EU–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and bilateral market access disputes.

There is a compelling public interest in determining whether confidential EU information was disclosed to Epstein or to third parties through Epstein’s network during this period. Pursuant to Article 4(7) of the Regulation, and in light of the principle of transparency enshrined in Article 15 TFEU, I submit that this public interest overrides any applicable exceptions under Article 4 of the Regulation.

II. Documents Requested

I respectfully request access to the following categories of documents held by the European Commission for the period November 2004 to October 2008, relating to Peter Mandelson in his capacity as European Commissioner for Trade:

1. Records of external communications: Any email correspondence, letters, memoranda, or other communications sent or received by Commissioner Mandelson or his Cabinet to or from Jeffrey Epstein or any entity, organisation, or individual acting on Epstein’s behalf.

2. Disclosure logs and document access records: Any records maintained by the Commission or the Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) documenting requests for access to, or the dissemination of, confidential or restricted trade documents to individuals outside the Commission, including by Commissioner Mandelson or members of his Cabinet.

3. Meeting records and hospitality declarations: Any meeting logs, diary entries, hospitality or gift declarations, travel records, or agenda documents relating to meetings or contacts between Commissioner Mandelson (or members of his Cabinet) and Jeffrey Epstein, or any intermediary known to have acted on Epstein’s behalf.

4. Ethics and conduct records: Any documents held by the Commission relating to the application or monitoring of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Commission with respect to Commissioner Mandelson during or after his mandate, including any complaints received, inquiries opened, or assessments conducted.

5. Post-mandate notifications: Any notifications submitted by Lord Mandelson to the Commission pursuant to Article 245 TFEU or the post-mandate provisions of the Code of Conduct regarding employment, consultancy engagements, or advisory activities undertaken in the two years following the end of his mandate.

III. Format and Modalities

I request that documents be provided in electronic format where possible. Where documents are withheld in full or in part pursuant to Article 4 of the Regulation, I request that the Commission provide a detailed statement of reasons specifying the applicable exception(s) and whether partial access under Article 4(6) is available. I

IV. Procedural Notes

Pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Regulation, I expect an initial response within 15 working days of registration of this request. Should the Commission require an extension of time under Article 7(3), I request that it notify me accordingly within the prescribed period and provide reasons for the extension. In the event of a full or partial refusal, I reserve the right to submit a confirmatory application under Article 7(2) and, if necessary, to bring proceedings before the European Ombudsman or the Court of Justice of the European Union.

I further note that any potential overlap between this request and ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom does not, as a matter of EU law, preclude access under Regulation 1049/2001. The Regulation provides its own framework for weighing competing interests, and the Commission retains an independent obligation under the principle of transparency that exists separately from any national law enforcement process.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and look forward to receiving an acknowledgement of registration in due course.

Yours faithfully,

Professor Alberto Alemanno
1 rue de la Libération
78351 Jouy en Josas
FRANCE