At least seven UK police forces are reviewing information contained within the millions of pages of Jeffrey Epstein files released over recent weeks, as the National Crime Agency also became involved.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said messages suggest paedophile financier Epstein’s jet – the so-called Lolita Express – made 90 flights to or from UK airports, including 15 after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child.
Mr Brown demanded police “urgently” investigates Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, for alleged sex trafficking, alleging at least one victim was flown into Stansted before being sneaked into Buckingham Palace. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing.
Surrey Police urged people with information to come forward about claims of human trafficking and sexual assault from the 1990s which appeared in millions of Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.
The allegations, set out in a redacted report released in December, allegedly took place in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996.
A photo of Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Department of Justice
US Department of Justice/AFP
The force’s call for witnesses comes after an FBI report from July 2020 made a historic child abuse claim against the ex-Duke of York and Epstein’s socialite madam Ghislaine Maxwell.
A woman alleged she was drugged at night, taken to “paedophile ring parties” and hit by a dark blue car “driven by Prince Andrew” in which they allegedly suffered injuries to her ribs, hip and leg.
The force said they have found no evidence of the incident being reported to them after reviewing their systems.
In the same document, the woman also alleged sexual abuse against Andrew and convicted sex trafficker Maxwell.
She claimed she was restrained on a table and “tortured with electrical shocks” by Maxwell, while the former prince and other men watched on.
Andrew, accuser Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell
PA Media
Surrey Police are not looking into these allegations, which are alleged to have taken place at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor.
Separately, Essex Police said it was assessing information about private flights to and from Stansted Airport following information released as part of the document dump by the US Department of Justice on January 30.
Brown claimed the files showed in “graphic detail” how Epstein was able to use the Essex transport hub to “fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia”.
Stansted said it “does not manage or have any visibility of passenger arrangements on privately operated aircraft”.
Meanwhile, Norfolk Police confirmed the force is also reviewing documents brought to their attention containing several references to Andrew and the royal estate at Sandringham, where he hosted Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein standing in front of his plane, the so-called Lolita Express
PA Media
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that Norfolk Constabulary has not received any allegations and is not currently conducting any investigations.
“The force is, however, reviewing documents brought to our attention following publication of the US DoJ Epstein files, to ensure that all relevant information has been properly assessed. This work is ongoing.”
Bedfordshire Police are assessing Epstein’s use of London Luton Airport.
Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police confirmed it was assessing claims Andrew shared confidential reports from his role as the UK’s trade envoy with Epstein.
Andrew – who has consistently denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links – has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
Ghislaine Maxwell giving Epstein a foot massage aboard a private jet
US Justice Department
Thames Valley are also assessing allegations that a second woman, in her 20s, was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew at his residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010.
Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson following claims he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein while business secretary during the 2008 financial crisis.
The central London and Wiltshire homes of Mandelson have also been searched by officers as part of a probe into alleged misconduct in public office.
Wiltshire Police are said to be assisting the Met’s investigation into disgraced peer Mandelson.
On Wednesday, Scotland Yard said “initial enquiries have begun” regarding royal protection officers following concerns from one that some turned a “blind eye” to Andrew’s visits to Epstein’s island, Little St James.
The officer, speaking to LBC Radio, said: “I’m not suggesting they definitely witnessed any criminality from Andrew… but there was concern that certain members of the royal protection team wilfully turned a blind eye to what was happening on the island.”
In a statement, the Met said: “Protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional behaviour as all police officers.
“At this time, we have not identified any wrongdoing by any protection officers.
“However, initial enquiries into these specific allegations have begun so we can establish the facts.
“As with any investigation, should any new allegations come to light, these will be assessed in the usual way.
“This includes any misconduct or criminal matters.”
It comes as the National Police Chiefs’ Council said National Crime Agency is supporting a UK-wide group set up to assist forces “assessing allegations”.
A spokesman said: “The national co-ordination group is working with the to ensure specialist support for forces seeking information from overseas law enforcement agencies through approved channels.
“This will support forces to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been made
“It may take some time due to the volume of material and the complexity of international jurisdictions, but policing and its law enforcement partners are taking this matter extremely seriously, and will assess all information thoroughly.
“The sharing of documents related to oversees criminal investigations between law enforcement agencies in different countries is an extremely complex process, and not straightforward.”
