Lord Mandelson broke his silence today on his arrest over classified Epstein documents. His explanation for why police turned up at his door? They feared he would flee the country.

That was his actual defence. Not "I'm innocent." Not "this is a misunderstanding." But "they thought I'd run."

Makes you wonder why they'd think that, doesn't it?

Mandelson told reporters the arrest was triggered by "the fiction that I was about to flee to the UK." He slammed the police for acting on what he called baseless fears.

The internet was not sympathetic.

The Epstein connection has hung over Mandelson for years. He has been reported to have visited Epstein's properties and his name appeared in publicly released flight logs. Every time it comes up, the establishment closes ranks. This time, the police actually moved.

And Mandelson's first instinct wasn't to address the substance. It was to complain about the arrest itself. To attack the process. That's a pattern for a man who's had to resign from government twice.

He has also faced questions over his appointment to negotiate with China on behalf of Britain, given his widely reported connections to Chinese business interests. Mandelson denies any wrongdoing in all these matters.

The public is tired of it. The two-tier system. The idea that if you're connected enough, if you know the right people, normal rules don't apply.

Mandelson can complain about the police all he wants. Most people are just glad someone finally knocked on his door.