Former protection officers assigned to Prince Andrew are being urged to come forward and share any information they may have about his activities while on duty, amid renewed scrutiny of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police has begun contacting all those who served as protection officers to the Duke of York, asking them to consider whether anything they saw or heard could assist ongoing reviews.
The call comes as documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest that Metropolitan Police officers guarded Epstein's New York home during Andrew's visits. Emails show arrangements were made for two protection officers to stay at Epstein's residence in 2010, with one message stating that room had been found for 'both Andrew's bodyguards' and that they were given a temporary security code.
Former head of royal protection Dai Davies said it was 'inconceivable' that Andrew's former guards would not have information, and called for a judge-led inquiry. 'For too long the establishment has taken us, the public, for fools. The truth, warts and all, must come out,' he told the People newspaper.
Police are also assessing claims that Epstein used UK airports to traffic women, with several forces including the Met, Police Scotland, and West Midlands police examining the allegations. The Met confirmed they are 'actively seeking further detail from law enforcement partners, including those in the United States' regarding the suggestion that London airports may have been used for human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Meanwhile, a former royal protection officer who previously claimed Andrew had women brought into Buckingham Palace said he had been 'told to keep quiet' by the Met. Paul Page, who received a warning letter reminding him of his confidentiality obligations, said he viewed the letter as an instruction to 'shut up'.
