Mandelson: Kremlin Tycoon Private Jet Trade Talks What Was he up to?

Peter Mandelson took so-called “ghost flights” on a Russian oligarch’s private jet to attend a summit with Vladimir Putin while serving as the European Union’s trade commissioner, according to fresh revelations.

The former Labour peer travelled aboard a Gulfstream IV executive jet controlled by Russian aluminium billionaire Oleg Deripaska, one of the Kremlin leader’s closest-linked tycoons. The flights, on November 25, 2004, carried Mandelson from Brussels to Luton and then onward to Rotterdam for a key trade summit in The Hague.

EU officials have confirmed the flights were not declared, as required under transparency rules.

At the time, Mandelson was responsible for EU trade policy. In subsequent years, the EU reduced aluminium tariffs — a move that benefited Deripaska, who went on to become one of the world’s wealthiest men. There is no evidence the tariff decision was directly linked to the flights, but critics say the optics are deeply troubling.

A member of the flight crew has told reporters that Mandelson appeared “quite ratty” during the journey because he was eager to arrive more quickly.

The disclosures add to mounting scrutiny around Mandelson’s past relationships and judgment. Around the same period, he reportedly maintained close contact with figures within Vladimir Putin’s circle. In 2005, he attended an undeclared private dinner with Russia’s finance minister, said to have been arranged by Deripaska, and later visited Siberia where he stayed at the oligarch’s residence.

Political reaction has been swift. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for the Intelligence and Security Committee to be provided with all relevant material relating to Mandelson’s time as EU trade commissioner, describing the revelations as “disturbing.” Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns accused him of showing contempt for the British public, citing what she described as a pattern of questionable associations.

The controversy comes amid renewed attention on Mandelson’s past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. US congressional Democrats have formally requested that he provide testimony as part of their ongoing probe into Epstein’s network, noting previous public comments in which Mandelson referred to Epstein as a close friend and referencing reported financial transactions between the two.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested that certain communications could potentially warrant legal scrutiny, though no charges have been brought.

Scotland Yard is currently examining allegations of misconduct in public office, though the nature and scope of the inquiry have not been fully detailed.

When approached for comment on the flights, Mandelson said he could not recall the travel arrangements from that period, adding that any suggestion of impropriety would be “mad.”

The allegations leave serious political questions — particularly over transparency, disclosure obligations and the appropriateness of senior officials accepting private travel from politically connected foreign billionaires — even as Mandelson denies wrongdoing.

Key Takeaways

• Peter Mandelson took undeclared flights on a jet controlled by Oleg Deripaska in 2004.

• The trips occurred while he was EU trade commissioner and meeting Vladimir Putin.

• The EU later reduced aluminium tariffs that benefited Deripaska.

• Mandelson says he cannot recall the travel arrangements and denies impropriety.

• Political opponents are calling for investigations and further scrutiny.

• US lawmakers have also requested his cooperation in the Jeffrey Epstein probe.

SOURCE DAILY MAIL

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