British police are seeking urgent information from American authorities following the release of thousands of new Jeffrey Epstein documents, which contain shocking allegations of a historic 'paedophile ring' operating in Surrey during the 1990s.
Surrey Abuse Allegations and FBI Liaison
The claims form part of a batch of more than 11,000 documents released this week by the US Department of Justice. One heavily redacted FBI file contains an account from a 35-year-old individual who alleges they were abused as a child in England.
The complainant states they were drugged and driven by their father to parties in Surrey when they were aged between six and eight. The documents further allege the individual was taken to Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate and subjected to electric shocks administered by Ghislaine Maxwell, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and other men said to be present.
Surrey Police has confirmed it has no record of these specific allegations being previously reported. A spokesman stated: "We are therefore engaging with relevant agencies to obtain access to the redacted information." The force is now contacting the FBI and other authorities to obtain further details.
Mountbatten-Windsor's Links Under Scrutiny
The newly released files have intensified scrutiny of the Duke of York's associations. They indicate he was referenced in two separate US criminal investigations and include emails sent by him to Ghislaine Maxwell.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing. However, his association with Epstein led to his removal from public duties as a working royal. Earlier this year, King Charles removed his brother's remaining titles as Prince and Duke of York.
It has also been revealed that US prosecutors sought a voluntary interview with him in June 2020 regarding his links to Epstein and convicted sex offender Peter Nygard, but that interview never took place. He has never been formally interviewed by any investigating authority.
Wider Implications and Further Releases
The latest disclosures have revived interest in Epstein's extensive British connections. His infamous 'black book' contains hundreds of UK names, though inclusion does not imply criminality. US lawmakers have warned that up to one million additional documents could be released in the coming weeks, raising concerns on both sides of the Atlantic.
Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence in the US for sex trafficking. Jeffrey Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The controversy shows no sign of abating. A royal insider was quoted as saying, "It's not going away." Mountbatten-Windsor's continued exclusion from royal life was underscored by his absence from the family's Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
Surrey Police has urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing that all reports of child abuse are taken seriously.
