Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are assessing a report alleging that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information from his role as the UK's trade envoy with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The force stated they are reviewing the matter "in line with our established procedures" following a formal complaint.
Newly Released Emails Reveal Alleged Information Sharing
Emails released earlier this month by the US Department of Justice appear to show the former duke forwarding confidential reports about official trade visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore directly to Epstein. One particular email, dated November 2010, was forwarded by Andrew just five minutes after being sent by his then-special advisor, Amir Patel.
Additional Allegations of Confidential Brief Sharing
Further revelations indicate that on Christmas Eve 2010, Andrew included Epstein in a confidential brief concerning investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province in Afghanistan. These communications occurred during the period when Andrew served as the UK's special representative for trade and investment, a role he held between 2001 and 2011.
Formal Complaint Filed by Anti-Monarchy Campaigner
Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, confirmed he had reported the allegations to Thames Valley Police. In a social media post, Smith stated: "I have now reported Andrew to the Thames Valley Police for suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets in relation to these specific allegations."
Smith drew parallels between these allegations and previous cases involving public figures, noting he could "not see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson."
Police Assessment and Previous Investigations
This latest police assessment comes just days after Thames Valley Police confirmed they were examining separate allegations that a woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010. The newly revealed emails regarding official trade visits are particularly significant as they are dated after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Andrew's Previous Statements and Current Situation
Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing concerning his connections to Epstein, though he has not directly addressed these specific allegations. During his controversial 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, the former duke claimed he had severed contact with Epstein in December 2010 during a visit to New York.
However, the released emails suggest continued communication, including one from February 9, 2011, in which Andrew told Epstein he had visited a private equity firm the previous week and "thought of you" as the financier, who was reportedly "looking for somewhere for money to go."
Official Guidance on Confidentiality Requirements
Official government guidance explicitly states that trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality regarding sensitive information. According to guidance from the Department of Business and Trade: "This may include sensitive, commercial, or political information shared about relevant markets or visits. This duty of confidentiality will continue to apply after the expiry of their term of office. In addition, the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1989 will apply."
Broader Context and Recent Developments
The latest document release also includes images apparently showing Andrew crouching over an unidentified woman in what appears to be Epstein's New York mansion. These revelations come against the backdrop of Andrew's 2022 settlement with Virginia Giuffre, to whom he paid millions of pounds despite maintaining he had never met her.
Following the posthumous release of Giuffre's book detailing her allegations of being trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at age 17, King Charles stripped his younger brother of his royal titles. More recently, Andrew has relocated from Royal Lodge in Windsor to a property on the King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with reports indicating he will temporarily reside at Wood Farm Cottage before moving to Marsh Farm by early April.
