British police have confirmed they are investigating claims that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein used private flights into UK airports to traffic women. The move follows allegations by former prime minister Gordon Brown that documents released in the US show in 'graphic detail' how Epstein used Stansted Airport in Essex to 'fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia'.
Essex Police, which had previously declined to comment, now admits it is assessing the claims. A spokesperson said: 'We are assessing the information that has emerged in relation to private flights into and out of Stansted airport following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files.'
Four British police forces are now confirmed to be assessing allegations linked to Epstein. Thames Valley Police is evaluating two separate claims against Prince Andrew, while Surrey Police is assessing another allegation against him. The Metropolitan Police is criminally investigating Lord Mandelson for allegedly passing information to Epstein while a Labour minister. Bedfordshire Police has been unable to confirm if it is assessing claims regarding Luton Airport.
A senior policing source told the Guardian that a 'tsunami' of allegations was expected following the release of millions of Epstein-related files. Brown wrote in the New Statesman that Epstein's jet made 90 flights to or from UK airports, including 15 after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. He claimed women arriving on private planes into Britain would not need British visas.
Stansted Airport said all private aircraft operate through independent fixed base operators, and immigration and customs checks are carried out directly by Border Force. The airport stated it does not manage or have visibility of passenger arrangements on privately operated aircraft.
The National Police Chiefs' Council confirmed a national coordination group has been set up to support forces assessing allegations from the Epstein files, working to secure justice for victims and survivors.
