LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - British police said on Tuesday they have launched an investigation into Peter Mandelson, Britain's former ambassador to the U.S., over alleged misconduct in public office following the release of millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

SCOTLAND Yard last night launched a full criminal investigation into claims that Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive government intelligence to Jeffrey Epstein. The Met Police will examine whether

London’s Metropolitan Police has started a criminal probe into Peter Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office, after the UK government said it had referred communications between him and Jeffrey Epstein to the authorities.

Peter Mandelson has left the Labour party over fresh revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. But can he be forced out of parliament?

This is the introduction to Blighty, a weekly, subscriber-only newsletter in which our correspondents turn their gaze on the latest developments in Britain. Good afternoon. This week in Blighty:

Former UK Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson has resigned as a member of the House of Lords after the UK government said it had referred communications between him and Jeffrey Epstein to the police.

It would be a brave journalist who today would dare write a column in defence of Peter Mandelson. But then, as a close friend once said of me during my parliamentary career, “Tom likes to walk towards the sound of gunfire”.