Surrey Police have launched an examination into a serious child abuse allegation contained within the latest trove of released Jeffrey Epstein documents, which explicitly names Prince Andrew.
Shocking Allegations in Newly Released Documents
The investigation follows the US Department of Justice's publication last week of over 11,000 files, comprising more than 30,000 pages related to probes into the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Among this vast cache is a statement from a now 35-year-old individual.
This person claims that between the ages of six and eight, during the mid-1990s, they were drugged by their father and driven to what they describe as "paedophile abuse ring parties" in Surrey. The alleged victim's statement to the FBI details being taken to Frogmore Cottage, where they say they were restrained on a table and "tortured with electrical shocks" by Ghislaine Maxwell, while a group of men looked on.
"I remember seeing Prince Andrew’s face," the complainant stated in the testimony, which has had their name redacted for privacy.
Police Search for Evidence and Information
In an official statement, Surrey Police confirmed they are seeking more information but have so far found no record of the allegations. "Following a review of our systems using the limited information available to us, we can find no evidence of these allegations being reported to Surrey Police," a spokesperson said.
The force added: "We are therefore engaging with relevant agencies to obtain access to the redacted information. We take all reports of child abuse seriously and encourage anyone with information in relation to these allegations to report this to us online, or via 101."
A representative for Prince Andrew, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein or Maxwell, was contacted for comment regarding the new allegation.
Mounting Scrutiny and Wider Investigations
This development adds another layer to the intense and ongoing scrutiny facing the Duke of York. It was also revealed this week that the FBI sought to interview Andrew in April 2020 as part of its investigation into the wealthy sex offender Peter Nygard, who was jailed for 11 years last year.
A letter to UK authorities at the time requested Andrew attend a voluntary interview concerning both the Epstein and Nygard probes. The prince's links to Epstein have been under the spotlight for months, intensified by the public allegations of Virginia Giuffre, who says she was forced to have sex with Andrew as a teenager—claims he vehemently denies.
The fallout from these controversies has been severe for Andrew. In October, it was announced he would be stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and would no longer use the style "His Royal Highness" in an official capacity. He has also been asked to leave his Royal Lodge residence in Windsor.
