Gordon Brown says he believes current prime minister is a man of ‘integrity’ who was ‘misled and betrayed’ by Peter Mandelson

Amid mounting speculation that Keir Starmer could quit over the Mandelson scandal, Gordon Brown has described the prime minister as a “man of integrity” but said he faced a “serious” challenge to remain in his role.

Police officers probing accusations relating to Peter Mandelson’s links with Jeffrey Epstein have concluded their search of two properties connected to the Labour peer in London and Wiltshire.

Met police said its investigation “will take some time” and that “a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis” was needed.

The Liberal Democrats have urged the Financial Conduct Authority to immediately investigate Mandelson, saying his apparent decision to leak highly confidential government information to Epstein may have led to insider trading.

Brown said the alleged leaks put Britain “at risk” and could have caused “huge commercial damage”.

The Metropolitan police has provided an update on the searches of two properties linked to Mandelson.