Scotland Yard is making initial enquiries into allegations about close protection officers who previously guarded Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, after claims that some may have “wilfully turned a blind eye” during trips to Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
The Metropolitan Police has said in a statement: “Protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional behaviour as all police officers.
“At this time, we have not identified any wrongdoing by any protection officers in relation to these matters. However, initial enquiries into these specific allegations have begun, so we can establish the facts.”
The allegations were first aired by LBC, which interviewed a retired senior Metropolitan Police protection officer.
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The former officer claimed that bodyguards assigned to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor could have “wilfully turned a blind eye” to what was happening on Little Saint James, Epstein’s island in the US Virgin Islands.
Epstein bought Little Saint James in 1998. The island later became associated with allegations of trafficking and sexual abuse made by several accusers. Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The former officer alleged Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s security detail accompanied him to the island on at least two occasions, including one trip on Epstein’s private aircraft.
“The big question for me is what Andrew’s protection team witnessed on Epstein island,” the former officer told the publication.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor protection officers face 'blind eye' allegations as Met begins enquiries
|GETTY
“I’m not suggesting they definitely witnessed any criminality from Andrew, but there was concern that certain members of the royal protection team wilfully turned a blind eye to what was happening on the island.”
The former officer also alleged there were “real concerns” in the late 1990s and early 2000s that some royal protection personnel had become too close to those they were assigned to guard.
The outlet further reported claims that staff were “terrified” of being demoted if they raised concerns, and that officers who had submitted reports were allegedly removed from their roles and returned to uniform duties.
The Met said any new allegations would be assessed “in the usual way”, including potential misconduct and criminal matters, but added it would be inappropriate to comment further while other enquiries are ongoing.
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Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges, including one involving a minor, in 2008 and served 18 months in prison | GETTYThe developments come as several UK police forces assess material linked to newly released US Department of Justice files on Epstein.
Essex Police confirmed it is “assessing” information relating to private flights at Stansted Airport.
Other forces have also confirmed they are reviewing information connected to the Epstein files. There has been a coordinated response involving multiple forces examining different strands of the material and related allegations.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein photographed at a party in 2000 | GETTYIn relation to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, Thames Valley Police has been assessing allegations linked to his contacts with Epstein.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
GB News has contacted Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.