The Mandelson scandal took another jaw-dropping turn just before PMQs, when the Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, stunned MPs by telling them he tipped off the Metropolitan Police about Lord Peter Mandelson allegedly planning to flee to the British Virgin Islands.
The former ambassador to Washington was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released on bail.
But in a shock development late on Tuesday, Mandelson's lawyers claimed his arrest had come because of a "baseless suggestion" he was planning to leave the country, despite an earlier agreement to speak to police voluntarily next month.
The Commons Speaker is understood to have visited the islands earlier this month while Parliament was in recess. There, he heard information which he felt he had to share with police in the UK about Lord Mandelson.
Sir Lindsay told the Commons: "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."
As Speaker, Sir Lindsay has worked closely with the police in recent years over the issue of MPs' safety – something that is very close to his heart. The Speaker has also often been informed in the past if a politician has been arrested. Speaking to them before an arrest is, however, unusual.
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