A growing number of UK police forces are investigating allegations arising from Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with prominent British figures, as newly released US documents bring renewed scrutiny to the country’s political and royal establishments.
Police forces across the UK are examining allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, his British associates and the use of British airports and locations, following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice that exposed the financier’s extensive connections with prominent British figures, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former government minister Peter Mandelson.
Police Scotland is the latest force to confirm an investigation, focusing on Epstein’s visits to Balmoral, the Scottish royal estate, where he reportedly spent time with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1999.
The force said on 30 October that it had received information and launched inquiries, although the investigation remains at an early stage.
Previously released photographs appear to show Epstein and Maxwell at the Glen Beg log cabin on the estate, while other images reportedly show Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor on a shooting trip.
Police Scotland said its inquiries were evidence-led and that the needs of victims and survivors remained central to the investigation.
The force has also previously appealed for information concerning Epstein’s private jet flights through Edinburgh Airport.
Meanwhile, other police forces are examining allegations involving sexual abuse, human trafficking, financial misconduct and the movement of women and girls through British airports.
Thames Valley Police has been investigating allegations involving Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The investigation followed reports that he had shared confidential information from his former role as the UK’s trade envoy with Epstein.
Officers are also assessing a woman’s allegation that Epstein sent her to the UK for a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor at Royal Lodge in 2010.
In May, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright urged survivors to provide information, saying the force’s door remained open to anyone with relevant evidence.
Surrey Police is investigating two separate allegations of historic child sexual abuse involving locations in Surrey and Berkshire during the 1990s and another incident in west Surrey during the 1980s.
The investigations follow allegations contained in documents released by the US Department of Justice concerning human trafficking and sexual assault in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996.
An FBI report from July 2020, also included in the released material, contained allegations involving Mountbatten-Windsor and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in Surrey.
Meanwhile, investigations have extended to Britain’s aviation infrastructure. Essex Police is assessing information concerning private flights to and from Stansted Airport, after former prime minister Gordon Brown said the released files showed how Epstein used the airport to bring girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.
Bedfordshire Police is reviewing material concerning private flights through London Luton Airport, while West Midlands Police is examining information about flights connected to Birmingham Airport.
Norfolk Police has also reviewed documents brought to its attention but said it had not received allegations and was not conducting an investigation.
The investigation into Peter Mandelson has added another political dimension to the scandal. The Metropolitan Police has launched a misconduct in public office investigation into the former government minister, following allegations that he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein.
Commander Ella Marriott confirmed that the investigation followed reports received after the latest release of US Department of Justice documents, including a referral from the UK government.
Wiltshire Police is assisting the Metropolitan Police and reviewing its records in connection with the case.
At the national level, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has established a co-ordination group working with the National Crime Agency to help British forces obtain information from overseas law enforcement agencies.
The council has acknowledged that examining the millions of documents and securing evidence across international jurisdictions could take considerable time, citing the scale and complexity of the material.
