Police urge Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-bodyguards to say what they ‘saw or heard’ in Epstein probe
Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have urged his former bodyguards to “carefully consider whether anything they have seen or heard is relevant to their investigation”.
The metropolitan force said it had identified and contacted the former Duke of York’s former and close bodyguards and urged them to share any information that could assist their investigation.
Detectives are also working with authorities in the US to establish whether London airports are being used to “facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation” after former prime minister Gordon Brown called on police to “urgently” re-examine claims that women or girls were trafficked on flights to Stansted.
Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be considering a change in the law that would remove the former prince from the line of succession after police conclude their investigation.
On Friday, the Met said there had been no new reports into allegations of sexual crimes since the release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein by the US Department of Justice.
The statement said: “We are evaluating this information and actively seeking further details from law enforcement partners, including those in the United States.
“In addition, the Met is identifying and contacting former and serving officers who may have worked closely with Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor in a safeguarding capacity. They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they have seen or heard during this period of service is relevant to our ongoing investigations and to share any information that may assist us.”
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein connections but has not responded directly to the latest allegations.
The royal family is facing its biggest crisis in decades as the police search of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, enters its second day and is expected to continue until Monday.
The 66-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office on his birthday on Thursday and was released under investigation after 11 hours of police interrogation.
Officers are investigating allegations that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with the disgraced financier while serving as the UK’s trade envoy; He was forced to step down after it was revealed that he had continued his friendship with Epstein following his conviction for sexual offences.
Searches of the Royal Lodge began shortly after his arrest and officers returned on Friday to continue combing the 30-room property, which has been Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s home for more than two decades. As uniformed police officers patrolled the 98-acre property, several unmarked vehicles were seen entering the gates.
Thames Valley Police said: “Searches in Berkshire are continuing and are likely to continue until Monday.” Independent.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest marks the biggest challenge to the monarchy since the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936, when his decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson sparked a constitutional upheaval.
The days-long search could lead to a new scandal for the royal family after significant time and resources were spent trying to contain the row over Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein.
It comes as calls grow for the former Duke, who despite the scandal remains eighth in line to the throne, to be disinherited.
The move would require a parliamentary decision and Independent He understands that the government will consider introducing legislation that would allow him to be removed from office after the police investigation is concluded. Any change in the line of succession would also require consultation and agreement with other countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Parliament should consider “when the time is right” to pass such a change, adding that he would “naturally want to make sure the monarchy never becomes king”.
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a “full legal investigation” following the former prince’s arrest, which could include investigating other public figures.
“Obviously we need to wait for the legal process to progress, but what I would say is that we really need a thorough legal investigation of public figures in institutions where crimes were committed — if they were committed — what we know, what other people in those institutions know, and to make sure that the appropriate people are removed when necessary,” he said.
Earlier this week, York Central Labor MP Rachael Maskell told the BBC she believed Mr Moutbatten-Windsor’s probate rights should be revoked.
This view was echoed in a YouGov poll that showed 82 per cent of Britons believe he should be disinherited, while only 6 per cent believe it should not be done. The survey of 7,242 adults, released Friday, found that 12 percent of respondents didn’t know it both ways.
Princess Anne, meanwhile, continued her royal duties with a visit to the Yorkshire Crisps on Friday, ignoring a reporter who asked from across the car park if she had spoken to her younger brother since his arrest.
In a statement on Thursday, King Charles expressed his “deep concern” at the news of his brother’s arrest, adding that “the law must take its course.” Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have yet to comment on his arrest.
