The long shadow of Jeffrey Epstein continues to darken the doorsteps of the British establishment. In a development that will send shivers through Buckingham Palace and the House of Lords, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed it is "in close contact" with police investigators targeting Prince Andrew and Lord Peter Mandelson.

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, broke the silence on Wednesday, revealing that his office is coordinating with both the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police. This is no longer just a tabloid frenzy; it is a procedural step towards potential criminal charges. The investigations focus on allegations that strike at the integrity of the state: sexual exploitation and the leaking of state secrets.

The Prince and the Politician

For Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the allegations are sordid and familiar. Thames Valley Police are reviewing claims that Epstein trafficked a woman to the Royal Lodge in 2010 for the Prince’s sexual gratification. Further compounding his woes are new emails suggesting he shared confidential trade reports with Epstein during his tenure as a government trade envoy. The Palace’s statement that it is "ready to support" the investigation sounds less like a defense and more like a resignation to the inevitable legal process.

Lord Mandelson, the architect of New Labour, faces an equally grave probe. The Met Police are investigating claims that he leaked sensitive Downing Street emails and market data to Epstein. If true, this transforms Mandelson from a mere associate of a pedophile into a potential compromised asset who traded national interest for access to Epstein’s glittery, grimy world.

• The CPS Stance: Parkinson’s carefully chosen words—"We haven’t been asked for formal advice yet"—are a bureaucratic placeholder. In "complex and sensitive cases," the advice often comes informally long before a file is submitted. The machinery of justice is grinding into gear.
• The Epstein Toxic Touch: Years after his death, Epstein remains the most dangerous ghost in high society. The release of US Department of Justice documents has provided the fresh ammunition that UK authorities can no longer ignore.
• The Fall of the Untouchables: Both men have long operated with a sense of impunity. This investigation challenges the notion that royal blood or political peerages offer protection from the law.

A Crisis of Confidence

The involvement of the CPS signals that the police are serious. They are ensuring their homework is marked before they make a move. For the British public, the spectacle of a Royal and a Peer being circled by prosecutors is a test of the maxim "without fear or favor."

As the net closes, the silence from the camps of Andrew and Mandelson is deafening. They are learning the hard way that in the digital age, secrets have a shelf life, and the bill for past indulgences always comes due.