Former protection officers for Prince Andrew are being urged to share any information they may have about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The call comes as newly released US court documents suggest Metropolitan Police officers guarded Epstein's New York home during a party attended by Andrew.
Scotland Yard has confirmed it is contacting all former protection officers who served Andrew, asking them to consider whether anything they saw or heard may be relevant to ongoing reviews. A Met spokesperson said: 'They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us.'
Emails released over the weekend show arrangements were made for two Met protection officers to guard Epstein's home while Andrew was staying there in 2010. One email, with the subject line 'Security for party', stated the officers had been given 'instructions on the door'. Another indicated room had been found for 'both Andrew's bodyguards' and that temporary security codes were provided.
Former head of royal protection Dai Davies said it was 'inconceivable' that Andrew's guards would not have information. He told Sky News: 'They would have gone to all the five residences we've been talking about … in the United States Virgin Islands, New Mexico and Florida. It's inconceivable to me, I'm sad to say, that nobody saw anything.' He called for a judge-led inquiry.
Police are also assessing claims that Epstein used UK airports to traffic women. The Met, Police Scotland, West Midlands police, and forces in Essex, Norfolk, and Bedfordshire are examining whether the allegations merit a full criminal investigation. Surrey and Thames Valley police are considering claims of sexual wrongdoing by Andrew, which he has always denied.
Former royal protection officer Paul Page, who previously claimed Andrew had women brought into Buckingham Palace, said he received a warning letter from the Met reminding him of his confidentiality obligations. Page interpreted the letter as an instruction to 'shut up'. The Met said the letter was a general reminder to former protection officers.
