A major investigation by the BBC has revealed that nearly 90 flights linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were connected to UK airports, with some carrying British women who allege they were abused.
Flight Logs Reveal Extent of UK Links
According to the broadcaster's analysis, a total of 87 flights associated with Epstein arrived at or departed from airports across the United Kingdom. These flights occurred over a period spanning from the early 1990s right up to 2018. The flight logs, part of a trove of thousands of court documents released by Epstein's estate, show that 15 of these UK flights took place after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.
The BBC's investigation identified three British women who allege they were trafficked by Epstein and whose names appear in his records of flights in and out of the UK, alongside other related documents. Unidentified "females" were also listed among passengers on these flights. Lawyers for hundreds of Epstein's victims in the United States have expressed shock that there has never been a comprehensive UK inquiry into his activities within the country.
Victims' Testimony and UK Police Stance
One of the British victims played a crucial role in the US, providing testimony that helped convict Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, of child sex-trafficking in 2021. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. Despite this, the victim's Florida-based lawyer, Brad Edwards, told the BBC that she has never been contacted by police in the UK regarding her allegations.
In response to the BBC's findings, the Metropolitan Police issued a statement. They confirmed they had "not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation." However, they added: "Should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including any resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it."
Mounting Pressure for Full Disclosure
The revelations come amid increasing pressure for full transparency regarding the Epstein case. Last month, a bill to release all US government files related to Epstein passed both the House and Senate, despite strong opposition from former President Donald Trump. The US Justice Department has until 19 December to comply, a move expected to unleash hundreds of thousands of documents.
In a further development last week, a federal judge ruled that the department could publicly release investigative materials from the sex-trafficking case against Maxwell. These ongoing disclosures are likely to keep the international scandal, and questions about the extent of activities in the UK, firmly in the spotlight.
