...
By Jack Royston
Chief Royal Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and the information in millions of emails found in the Epstein files, are being examined by three separate police forces as pressure mounts for a full criminal investigation.
Mountbatten-Windsor was referred first to the Metropolitan Police, covering London, who passed on inquiries to Thames Valley Police, covering his home in Windsor.
Now the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) has confirmed a task force has been set up including both forces and a third, Surrey Police, with officers working together to establish the impact of the millions of documents.
Read More on News
Newsweek approached Mountbatten-Windsor's former representatives for comment and Buckingham Palace.
...
Why It Matters
Virginia Giuffre accused Mountbatten-Windsor of raping her in 2001 when she was 17 years old and said she had been sex trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, fearing death if she refused to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor. Giuffre died by what her family described as a suicide in April 2025.
Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied her allegations. He settled a civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in New York for an undisclosed sum in 2022 while denying liability.
Giuffre reported her allegations to the Metropolitan Police in 2015, but it concluded based on interview with Giuffre and other Epstein victims that their accounts "did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any U.K.-based nationals."
Since the release of the Epstein files in 2026, there has been mounting pressure for a new criminal investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor. Among potential lines of inquiry are allegations of sex trafficking and suggestions he leaked confidential U.K. government documents to Epstein while he was trade envoy.
What To Know
The NPCC said in a statement: “A national coordination group has been set up to support a small number of forces assessing allegations that have emerged following the publication of the US DoJ's Epstein files.
“We continue to work collaboratively to assess the details being made public to allow us to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been published.
“We continue to support our partners and contribute in any way we can to help secure justice for victims and survivors, and urge anyone who needs support to visit www.whenyouareready.co.uk.”
The expansion of the U.K. police response comes after former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for police to examine Epstein's use of British locations and Stansted Airport (near London) in his sex trafficking operation.
“I have been told privately that the investigations related to the former Prince Andrew did not properly check vital evidence of flights," Brown wrote in the New Statesman. "I have asked the police to look at this as part of the new inquiry.”
"The emails tell us in graphic detail how Epstein was able to use Stansted Airport," he said, adding that Epstein "boasted how cheap the airport charges were compared to Paris. Brown said Stansted was used "to fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.
"His messages link at least one to Britain and the former Prince Andrew. One email, headed 'the girl,' described her as 'just turned 18, 179cm, very cute, speaks English, I saw her in real 3 years ago… i will send you the video in next email'."
What People Are Saying
Gordon Brown, former U.K. Prime Minister, said testimony from a British Epstein Victim at Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 trial should have shown British police a full investigation was needed: "Trial testimony from one of the British victims, Kate—whose abuse started in London when she was 17—helped convict Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, of child sex trafficking in the US. Kate is listed as having been on more than ten flights paid for by Epstein.
"A UK police investigation into Kate’s plight could reveal Epstein’s enablers in Britain, and might also discover whether his friends protected him from a UK investigation.
"The Metropolitan Police stated it is 'clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities and relationships outside the UK,' suggesting this was a US problem, not a British one. Had an investigation been conducted into the flights, the scale of the trafficking would have become apparent."
In December, Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffre’s family and friends following her death.
“In 2015, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received allegations relating to non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These allegations primarily concerned events outside the United Kingdom, with one allegation of trafficking to central London in March 2001.
“Officers assessed all available evidence at the time, interviewed the complainant, Ms Virginia Giuffre as well as contacting several other potential victims. This did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any U.K.-based nationals.
"The MPS sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and liaised with United States authorities, who were leading investigations into related matters involving U.S. nationals. Following this legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities outside the U.K. and perpetrators based overseas.
"Officers therefore concluded, in consultation with the CPS, that other international authorities were best placed to progress these allegations. Officers maintained close liaison with the United States and other relevant authorities throughout their investigation to ensure any U.K. matters could be identified and to consider any support requested.
“A decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation. That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022; in each instance, the position remained unchanged, and Ms Giuffre and her legal representative were informed."
What Happens Next
Police are currently assessing the available evidence and will need to make a decision about whether to escalate to a full criminal investigation. Thames Valley Police has engaged specialist prosecutors to help the decision.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines