Police probing Andrew’s Epstein links are in talks with prosecutors
Thames Valley Police are exploring options with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared secret reports he had access to with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his role as UK trade envoy.
In a statement on Wednesday, it was announced that discussions had been held with specialist prosecutors from the CPS and that the force was “making progress as quickly as possible”.
“We can confirm today that Thames Valley Police is leading an ongoing assessment of allegations of misconduct in public office,” Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said.
“This relates specifically to documents from the United States Department of Justice’s Epstein Files. As part of this assessment, we have engaged in discussions with expert crown prosecutors from the CPS. We will provide updates as and when they become available, but it would be inappropriate to discuss further details of this work at this stage.”
It was reported that the allegations are currently “under evaluation”, with “the information being evaluated to determine whether a criminal offense is suspected and whether a full investigation is required”.
Mr Wright added: “Allegations of misconduct in public office involve particular complexities and so an assessment must be made carefully and in detail. While we cannot give a timetable for when a decision will be made on whether a criminal investigation will be launched, we can assure Thames Valley Police is making progress as quickly as possible.”
The allegations reportedly relate to emails showing Mr Mountbatten-Windsor sharing reports of his official visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam with the pedophile financier.
According to the latest disclosure, an email in November 2010 is understood to have been forwarded by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor just five minutes after it was sent by his special adviser Amir Patel.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor held meetings and trade discussions during visits in his capacity as trade ambassador in late 2010. On Christmas Eve 2010, he shared a confidential briefing with Epstein about investment opportunities in rebuilding Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the director of public prosecutions England and Wales’ Stephen Parkinson told reporters: “We are in close contact with both the Met and Thames Valley police, but we have not yet been asked for formal advice. In complex and sensitive cases, the CPS and police work together. And I’m sure we will do so in relation to the investigation that has been announced.”
Among the latest revelations to emerge from the latest release of the Epstein files, it was revealed that the former Prince Andrew invited his financier to Buckingham Palace for dinner and “a lot of privacy” years after he was convicted of sex crimes.
Epstein responded: “I’m already in London [sic]. at what time? [sic] You like me and we will need/have special time too.” It is unclear whether a meeting was held at the palace.
The latest release also included photographs showing Mr Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours above a woman with a blackened face on the ground. It is unknown where and when the photos were taken.
There is no suggestion that being featured in the files constituted a crime, and people featured in previous releases have denied any illegal behavior involving Epstein.
