London police are under pressure to gather testimonies from former and current members of the royal protection unit linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. These testimonies are expected to be critical regarding the former prince’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The 63-year-old was arrested on a unique charge for the British monarchy—suspected of sharing classified information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s special representative for international trade, from 2001 to 2011.
Key Developments in the Andrew Epstein Case
Despite mounting allegations, there is currently no formal investigation into Prince Andrew’s potential involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking network, which came to light after Epstein’s death in prison in 2019. Last week, the London police stated they were contacting potential witnesses within the protection unit that served with Andrew, asking them to evaluate the importance of any information they might have regarding the case.
Concerns from Former Protection Officers
Dai Davies, a former head of the royal protection unit from 1994 to 1998, believes the police should conduct formal interviews instead of merely reaching out via email. He stressed the necessity of direct engagement with former unit members who may possess crucial evidence. Paul Page, who served in the unit from 1998 to 2004 and worked at Buckingham Palace, shared concerns about the potential repercussions of speaking out. He mentioned a climate of paranoia among officers regarding the motives of those conducting inquiries.
Allegations Against Prince Andrew
Virginia Giuffre has accused Andrew of sexually abusing her multiple times starting in 2001 when she was a minor. An anonymous former protection officer revealed that Andrew’s bodyguards were present on Epstein’s island during at least two visits, raising concerns about whether they ignored alarming behaviors. The officer claimed that by the late 1990s, the protection unit had become “too close” to the royal family.
Continued Investigations and Calls for Action
Various UK police forces are examining documents related to Epstein that were released by the US Justice Department in January. These documents include allegations that women were trafficked to the UK via Epstein’s private jets. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged law enforcement to investigate these claims. Paul Page has also alleged that under Andrew’s direction, security protocols were compromised, allowing unauthorized individuals to access royal residences.
- Two to three times a week, young women reportedly gained entry to Buckingham Palace without security checks.
- Previous complaints regarding security breaches allegedly went unaddressed within the hierarchy of the unit.
In 2010, an email from Epstein indicated that Andrew’s guards acted as doormen at a dinner hosted by Epstein in Manhattan. The Metropolitan Police has reviewed this information, along with an email from Andrew requesting his protection officers to investigate Giuffre.
Despite these inquiries, the police have stated no evidence of criminal activity or professional misconduct has been found related to Prince Andrew. The case continues to unfold, raising further questions about accountability and the protection of royal family members.
