The National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed it is providing support to UK police forces as they investigate information contained within the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files. This development underscores a coordinated national effort to assess the implications of the documents, which detail the activities of the convicted paedophile financier.
Police Forces Across the UK Launch Reviews
According to reports, West Midlands Police has become the latest force to announce it is reviewing the files released by the US Department of Justice. The NCA stated its role is to support police in enabling a full and independent assessment of the information, ensuring thorough investigations across multiple jurisdictions.
Surrey Police Seek Witnesses to Historical Allegations
Surrey Police have urged individuals with information to come forward regarding claims of human trafficking and sexual assault from the 1990s. The alleged offending, detailed in a redacted US Department of Justice report from December, is said to have occurred in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996.
An FBI report from July 2020, included in the files, describes allegations from an individual who claims they were drugged and taken to paedophile ring parties in the mid-1990s. The same person alleges being hit by a dark blue car driven by Prince Andrew, resulting in injuries to their ribs, hip, and leg. Police have stated that after reviewing their systems, they found no evidence of these allegations being previously reported.
Further Allegations Involving High-Profile Figures
The documents also contain allegations of sexual abuse against Prince Andrew, who turns 66, and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The woman claims she was restrained on a table and tortured with electrical shocks by Maxwell, while the former prince and other men watched. Surrey Police are not investigating these specific allegations, which are alleged to have taken place at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
Metropolitan Police Investigate Protection Officers
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police announced that initial inquiries have begun into allegations regarding protection officers. Concerns were raised by an unnamed officer that some members of the royal protection team may have turned a blind eye to Prince Andrew's visits to Epstein's island, Little St James, in the US Virgin Islands.
A protection officer told LBC that while they are not suggesting witnesses definitely saw criminality, there was concern that certain team members wilfully ignored what was happening on the island.
Investigations into Private Flights and Misconduct
Essex Police are 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 airport to fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia. A spokesperson for Stansted clarified that the airport does not manage or have visibility of passenger arrangements on privately operated aircraft.
Other forces, including Norfolk Police, West Midlands Police (reviewing flights through Birmingham Airport), and Bedfordshire Police (looking into Luton flights), are also examining relevant information. Thames Valley Police are assessing claims that Prince Andrew shared confidential reports from his role as UK trade envoy with Epstein.
Political and Legal Developments
Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing regarding his links to Epstein but has not directly responded to the latest allegations. In a related matter, the London and Wiltshire homes of Lord Peter Mandelson have been searched by officers as part of a Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. Scotland Yard is continuing inquiries into allegations that Mandelson sent market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving as business secretary during the financial crisis.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has added her voice to calls for Prince Andrew to speak about what he knows regarding the Epstein scandal, stating he owes it to the victims to provide clarity.
