UK Police Forces Launch Reviews Following Epstein Files Release
British police have issued a public appeal for witnesses after allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault from the 1990s emerged in the recently released Epstein files. Surrey Police confirmed that the claims, detailed in a redacted US Department of Justice report from December, allegedly occurred in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996.
Surrey Police Seek Information on Historical Allegations
Surrey Police stated that the allegations have not been previously reported to them, despite appearing in an FBI document from July 2020 that was included in the Epstein files. According to that document, an individual claimed to have been drugged at night and transported to "paedophile ring parties" during the mid-1990s. The same person alleges being struck by a dark blue car "driven by Prince Andrew," resulting in injuries to their ribs, hip, and leg.
The force emphasized that they have found no evidence of these allegations being reported through their systems after conducting a thorough review. Additionally, they clarified that they are not investigating separate claims of sexual abuse against Prince Andrew and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, which are alleged to have taken place at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. In those allegations, the woman claims she was restrained on a table and "tortured with electrical shocks" by Maxwell while Andrew and other men observed.
Multiple Police Forces Assess Epstein File Information
Several UK police forces are currently reviewing the millions of pages of documents released over recent weeks. On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police announced that "initial enquiries into these specific allegations have begun" regarding royal protection officers. This follows concerns raised by an unnamed officer who suggested that some officers may have turned a "blind eye" to Prince Andrew's visits to Epstein's island, Little St James.
The protection officer told LBC: "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 response, the Met stated that protection officers are held to the same high professional standards as all police officers and that no wrongdoing has been identified thus far, but investigations continue to establish facts.
Other forces involved include:
- Essex Police: Assessing information about private flights to and from Stansted Airport following the document release on January 30. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed the files show in "graphic detail" how Epstein used the Essex-based airport to "fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia." Stansted Airport responded that it does not manage or have visibility of passenger arrangements on privately-operated aircraft.
- Norfolk Police: Reviewing documents brought to their attention but confirmed no allegations have been received and no investigations are currently underway.
- Bedfordshire Police: Reportedly looking into flights related to Luton Airport.
- Thames Valley Police: Assessing claims that Prince Andrew shared confidential reports from his role as UK trade envoy with Epstein.
Political and Royal Responses to the Allegations
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added her voice to calls for Prince Andrew to provide more information, stating he "owes it to the victims" of Epstein and his associates. She told reporters: "The former prince has got a lot of questions to answer on a whole range of issues. I think he owes it to the victims of Epstein and his associates to come forward and give much more information about what he knew around the treatment of young women and girls."
Prince Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing regarding his connections to Epstein but has not directly addressed the latest allegations. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police's probe into alleged misconduct in public office has led to searches at the London and Wiltshire homes of Lord Peter Mandelson. Scotland Yard previously indicated that inquiries are ongoing following allegations that Lord Mandelson sent market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving as business secretary during the financial crisis.
