The head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has declared that “nobody is above the law” as pressure mounts on police to investigate Prince Andrew’s links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, said he had “total confidence” that detectives would examine any relevant evidence pointing to criminality.
Thames Valley Police confirmed this week they are in discussions with the CPS over allegations of misconduct in public office against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The former prince served as the UK’s special trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Parkinson noted that the offence is not difficult to prosecute because it centres on a “gross breach of trust” by a public officer.
Emails released in the Epstein files suggest Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein, including sensitive details about the Royal Bank of Scotland after its government bailout. A senior palace aide is also alleged to have leaked an official diplomatic cable on UK-China trade relations to a banker friend of the prince. Epstein reportedly boasted: “I’ve got the UK sewn up.”
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for a full police investigation, describing the revelations as “by far the biggest scandal of all.” Vince Cable, former Business Secretary, urged a “DPP check on whether criminal corruption took place.” Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
