February 18, 2026
Sailesh Mehta and Charlotte Noddings have written an article for Solicitors Journal analysing the Metropolitan Police’s investigation into Peter Mandelson. Their piece focuses on the legal framework governing the common‑law offence of misconduct in public office and the persistent uncertainty surrounding its scope and application.
In the article they:
– outline the offence’s core legal elements
– examine how the investigation highlights long‑standing uncertainty surrounding the offence, particularly its suitability as a tool for addressing alleged political wrongdoing
– argue the need for clear statutory reform, as the current common‑law framework remains inconsistent and increasingly difficult to apply in modern public‑law contexts
Read piece here: https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/author/2264035
