Epstein trafficked women ‘through UK airports until month before arrest’ in 2019
Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly trafficking women through airports in the United Kingdom until just a month before his arrest in 2019.
The pedophile financier traveled to and from the UK more than 60 times on his private jet, while booking commercial flights to or through the country as late as June 2019. Timeswho analyzed documents published in the Epstein files.
The newspaper reported that six police forces are investigating whether women were smuggled into British commercial airports and RAF bases on Epstein’s private jet. He added that new documents show that Epstein’s jet landed at RAF Northolt as recently as 2015.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has written to six police forces demanding an investigation into whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used taxpayer-funded jets and RAF bases to meet convicted sex offenders during his time as trade envoy. The old prince vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
At least 10 police forces are investigating allegations related to Epstein.
Former attorney general Nazir Afzal called the new findings “scandalous.”
he said Times: “When the police were asked to investigate Epstein for sexual abuse and human trafficking, they were repeatedly told there was no need to investigate… This week we saw how quickly the state can act when there are alleged victims. When the alleged victims are women, it finds an excuse not to act at all.”
The newspaper said that a flight was arranged by Epstein’s associates for a Russian woman whose name was redacted, who flew from Heathrow to New York on June 1 and returned on June 9, 2019, and that Epstein was arrested only a month later on July 6.
It also reported that documents showed Epstein’s private jet landed at RAF Northolt two years later than previously thought. A fuel receipt appears to show an aircraft refueling at an RAF base on 8 May 2015; whereas previous flight records were only as recent as 2013.
Epstein reportedly took dozens of flights to British airports, mostly to London Luton, on his private Boeing 727 before he was imprisoned in 2008, and these trips continued, albeit less frequently, after his release from prison.
Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday sidestepped calls for a public inquiry into Epstein and his use of UK airports to smuggle girls into the country, insisting any police investigation should go his way first.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on the government to release all flight records and documents relating to the disgraced billionaire.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail earlier this month over their alleged links to Epstein.
On Tuesday ministers agreed to release files relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade ambassador in 2001.
The former Duke of York is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while serving as special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.
