Major Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor police update issued | Royal | News
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor always denied injustice (Image: REUTERS)
The UK police force has said women with information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be treated with “care, compassion and respect” after it was claimed women who may have information about him were reluctant to come forward. American lawyer Brad Edward said he had “multiple clients” who had information about the former prince but had low confidence in the UK police and also feared media interference.
Her clients include a woman who claims she was sent to England to have sexual intercourse with the former Duke of York. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Responding to the barrister’s comments to the BBC, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said they understood it could be incredibly difficult to come forward but that “their welfare, privacy and right to anonymity” would be at the center of their response.
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Mr Edwards told BBC News: “A lot of our customers, plural, [Mountbatten-Windsor] He will not speak to officials in the UK for two reasons.
“First, the authorities did not care to do anything while Epstein was alive, so their confidence is low. Second, and most importantly, harassment from the British press deterred them from cooperating with the UK authorities or speaking to the British press.”
Last week Thames Valley Police said they would consider allegations of sexual misconduct in their investigation into possible misconduct in public office, which led to his arrest in February.
Officers are currently assessing a woman’s claim that she was sent to the Royal Lodge by Epstein to have sex with Andrew in 2010 before a tour of Buckingham Palace. The woman’s lawyer, who first spoke to the BBC about the allegations, which are said to have occurred when the woman was in her 20s, has been contacted.
Officers investigating Andrew are also reportedly investigating allegations he behaved inappropriately with a woman at Royal Ascot. The alleged incident is said to have occurred at a racing event in Berkshire in 2002, The Sunday Times reported.
A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “As part of the police response in the UK, efforts have been made to contact surviving victims who have chosen to share their experiences publicly.
“In some cases this has included speaking to legal representatives, but we recognize we have not yet reached everyone and our efforts continue.
“We recognize that it can be incredibly difficult to come forward and we want everyone affected to know that they can do so on their own time, whenever they feel ready. “Our door will remain open.
“If any surviving victim chooses to contact UK police, they will be treated with care, compassion and respect, and their health, privacy and right to anonymity will be at the heart of our response.”
