Former prime minister worried Andrew ‘used RAF planes to meet Epstein’ | UK | News
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for voicing concerns over the possible use of RAF bases and government flights to visit Jeffrey Epstein. The former Prince Andrew served as British trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, including three years when Scotland was ranked 10th.
Sunday Telegraph It was revealed that Brown sent letters to the police forces of London, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Norfolk and Bedfordshire, asking for the questioning of officers who worked with the prince when he was a trade ambassador. Departments Brown specifically mentioned include the Ministry of Defense (MoD), the Department for Transport, the Foreign Office and the Treasury.
The former Prime Minister also called for a thorough investigation into what the envoy actually did and whether he had any connection to Epstein.
The Telegraph claims the letters contain “new and additional information”, focusing in particular on concerns Andrew may have chartered RAF aircraft to take him to meetings with Epstein.
There are also concerns that Epstein was flying to RAF bases even after being accused of child prostitution in 2008.
Brown is thought to have written about concerns that the former prince might have leaked confidential information to the pedophile financier.
Andrew’s allegation that he used publicly funded flights for private purposes has been reported previously, but records of his trips were last published in the Epstein dossier, and a flight in particular that landed at RAF Marham in Norfolk in December 2000 worried Brown.
The files show that Epstein and his now-detained partner Ghislaine Maxwell flew into Luton Airport and departed for the Norfolk base a day later with two passengers, including an “unnamed woman”.
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The Telegraph claims that Epstein and Maxwell were then transported to Sandringham Manor for entertainment at the Queen’s home – all arranged by the then-Duke of York.
Brown’s letters also include several airports reportedly used by Epstein and which he wants investigated, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool, Birmingham, Norfolk, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted.
The letters came to light just days after Andrew was arrested at his home on Sandringham Manor and taken to a small Norfolk police station for questioning.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was later released, but detectives continue to search his former home, Royal Lodge.
A Ministry of Defense spokesman said it was normal for commercial and private aircraft to land at RAF locations as long as it did not affect their operations and was at users’ expense.
The spokesman added: “Such use is not automatic and will only be approved where there is no adverse impact to military aircraft and where approval would not interfere with the safety or proper functioning of the airspace.”
