The BBC has uncovered evidence that Jeffrey Epstein housed alleged abuse victims in four flats in Kensington and Chelsea, London, after the Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate him in 2015. Six women who stayed in these properties have since accused the late financier of sexual abuse.
Some of the women, including those from Russia and Eastern Europe, were brought to the UK after the Met declined to investigate Virginia Giuffre's 2015 allegation that she was a victim of international trafficking to London. Giuffre alleged in a 2021 US lawsuit that Prince Andrew had sex with her at a London home in 2001 when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein. Prince Andrew has denied the allegations.
Files dated around 2018 and 2019 show Epstein corresponding with women in the flats, using aggressive language when they complained about conditions. In one message, he swore at a woman, called her 'rude' and accused her of 'disgusting behaviour'. Another message revealed pictures of 'cute' models sent to Epstein by one woman. Epstein also paid for at least five women, many on student visas, to study in London.
The Met Police stated that no allegations of criminal conduct in London have been made by the six women, but specialist officers are ready to speak to them. In 2015, following Giuffre's complaint, the Met conducted reasonable enquiries but found no allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based individual, so no investigation was commenced.
