Seven UK police forces are now investigating the Epstein files following allegations that victims were flown into Stansted Airport after the sex offender was jailed
Seven police forces are now investigating the Epstein files in a nationwide probe that is allegedly connected to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, according to reports.
Allegations have been made that suggest Epstein’s victims were flown into Stansted Airport on Lolita Express. It is believed that as many as 90 flights landed at the airport’s private terminal, with 15 happening after the US financier was jailed in 2008 over child sex offences.
Essex Police are now examining flight logs and emails. Late on Tuesday, Essex Police said: “We are assessing the information that has emerged in relation to private flights into and out of Stansted Airport following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files.”
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said messages contained in the Epstein files linked Andrew, 65, to at least one victim who was flown into the airport on the “Lolita Express” before being sneaked into Buckingham Palace, according to The Sun.
The investigation comes after at least six other forces are assessing evidence within the Epstein files. Forces include the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley, Surrey, Norfolk and Bedfordshire.
With Wiltshire Police also assisting the Met’s investigation into Peter Manelson, accused of leaking information to Epstein when Business Secretary.
Surrey Police have been engaging with “relevant agencies” to obtain access to unredacted files that are connected to child abuse claims made against Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Following a review of our systems using the limited information available to us, we can find no evidence of these allegations being reported to Surrey Police. We are therefore engaging with relevant agencies to obtain access to the un-redacted information.”
Thames Valley Police are examining multiple claims in relation to former prince Andrew. The force are investigating allegations that a woman in her 20s was sent to the UK by Epstein in 2010 for a sexual encounter with Andrew at Royal Lodge.
TVP are also liaising with prosecutors over claims against Andrew when he was UK trade envoy from 2001-11.
It is believed that Bedfordshire Police are looking at Luton flights.
Norfolk Police have not received allegations but are reviewing documents in the files “to ensure that all relevant information has been properly assessed”.
The Met confirmed they are in contact with the FBI as part of their Mandelson investigation, in the hopes to obtain unredacted documents.
A specialist group has since been set up by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to liaise with US law enforcement.
The group, due to meet this week, includes police experts on sexual offending and is chaired by Gold Commander Louisa Rolfe, a former Met Assistant Commissioner. The group has been formed to assist forces “to ensure consistency of approach”.
Due to the amount of allegations and information in the files, a national investigation could be likely, expected to be led by the Met.
The Met are under high pressure to launch a separate investigation into sex allegations against Andrew in addition of their probe into Mandelson. The Met previously interviewed Virginia Giuffre in 2015 after claims she was trafficked by Epstein, at age 17, to have sex with Andrew at Maxwell’s London flat in 2001 but chose not to proceed.
The NPCC said: “We continue to work collaboratively to assess the details being made public to allow us to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been published.
“We continue to support our partners and contribute in any way we can to help secure justice for victims and survivors.”
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Just being mentioned in the files does not imply wrongdoing.
