Police set up national group to deal with UK-related Epstein allegations | Police
British police have set up a new national group to deal with allegations that Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking of women was linked to Britain, as well as allegations against associates such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
At least three British police forces are involved in allegations sparked by information about Epstein and his associates revealed in documents published in the US, and more criminal allegations are expected by police officials.
A national committee to coordinate police operations met this week and is scheduled to meet again next week. The group includes police experts on sexual offenses and is chaired by gold commander Louisa Rolfe, who was previously deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police.
A “tsunami” of claims is expected as a result of the release of millions of documents relating to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who trafficked women and had a network of powerful friends, a senior police source said.
The forces involved include Thames Valley police, which is considering two separate allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor and whether they merit a full criminal investigation, and Surrey police, which is considering another allegation against the former prince.
Mountbatten-Windsor denied all wrongdoing.
The Met, which is also part of the group, is criminally investigating Peter Mandelson for allegedly passing information to Epstein while he was a minister in the Labor government.
Bedfordshire police were unable to say whether they were considering allegations that Luton airport in the area was being used by Epstein-linked planes to traffic women.
Similarly, Essex police could not say whether they were considering claims that Stansted airport was used for such flights. With former British prime minister Gordon Brown He said the police should take precautions.
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “A national co-ordination group has been established to support a small number of forces in assessing allegations made following the release of the US Department of Justice report. [Department of Justice] Epstein files.
“We continue to work collaboratively to evaluate publicly disclosed details to allow us to understand the potential impact from the millions of documents released.”
The national coordination group is a similar measure. this is established To deal with the explosion of sexual abuse allegations triggered by the Jimmy Savile scandal more than a decade ago. It is aimed to prevent duplication in handling claims involving the same people.
Part of the group’s role is to make formal approaches to obtain original, unredacted documents from the United States, rather than each police force having to make separate requests.
It is not yet a national investigation and each force retains operational control. A source with knowledge of the discussions said: “It’s not a national operation but it’s heading in that direction. The feeling in policing is that it will grow arms and legs.”
The publication of documents in the Epstein files two weeks ago led to new revelations.
The Thames Valley review covers allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor used her position as British trade envoy to provide potentially sensitive information to Epstein. Allegations that the former prince used his position as British trade envoy to pass potentially sensitive information to Epstein are being investigated by police.
They are also examining allegations that Epstein sent a second woman to England to have sex with the former prince in Windsor in 2010.
Another police source warned that the avalanche of allegations and revelations in the news media may not be enough to trigger full-blown criminal investigations, let alone prosecutions: “Andrew may be an outright liar, but that doesn’t mean he’s committed a crime.”
The Met has twice examined allegations of sexual abuse against Mountbatten-Windsor and decided they did not merit a full investigation.
A spokesman for Surrey police said: “A number of police forces are currently assessing allegations following the release of the FBI Epstein files.
“As a result, police at a national level are seeking access to unedited versions of the material to ensure a full and independent assessment of the information released. This will enable all forces to understand the potential impacts arising from the millions of documents made publicly available.”
