Epstein survivors lack faith in UK police investigating Andrew, says lawyer
Epstein Survivors Lack Confidence in UK Police, Lawyer Claims
Epstein survivors lack faith in UK police – Brad Edwards, an American attorney representing over 200 victims of Jeffrey Epstein, has expressed concerns to the BBC about the UK police’s ability to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. According to Edwards, many of his clients—individuals who claim to have knowledge of the former prince’s alleged misconduct—have lost trust in the British authorities. They fear that sharing their accounts with the police might lead to public scrutiny or intrusion into their private lives.
Harassment by Press Deters Cooperation
Edwards stated that the reluctance of his clients stems from two factors. First, he noted that the UK police were indifferent to Epstein’s crimes during his lifetime, which has left survivors skeptical about their commitment to justice. Second, he emphasized the pressure from the British press, which has often targeted victims with invasive reporting. This has made some individuals hesitant to speak out, fearing their personal details would be exposed without their consent.
Among Edwards’s clients is a woman who alleges she was brought to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. This incident reportedly occurred at his home, the Royal Lodge, in 2010, before she was invited to Buckingham Palace for tea. Thames Valley Police confirmed in February that they are reviewing this claim as part of an ongoing inquiry into public office misconduct. The investigation was sparked by documents released in the US, which suggested the former prince shared confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as a British trade envoy.
“Our clients, plural, with information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not speak with UK authorities for two reasons,” Edwards told BBC News. “First, the authorities did not care to do anything when Epstein was alive, so their confidence is low. Second, and most important, the harassment by the British press has dissuaded them from ever cooperating with UK authorities or speaking with the British press.”
This is not the first time a woman has accused the former prince of wrongdoing in the UK. Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser, claimed she was trafficked to the UK by Epstein in 2001 for a sexual encounter with him. She reported the incident to London’s Metropolitan Police in 2015, but the officers interviewed her multiple times without initiating a full investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor later settled a civil case brought by Giuffre for an estimated £12 million in 2022. Giuffre, who had previously spoken publicly about her experiences, took her own life last year.
Edwards revealed that several of his clients were initially open to cooperating with British police but became discouraged after UK-based journalists began investigating the woman and her family. This scrutiny, he argued, made others wary of coming forward, as they saw the potential for their privacy to be compromised. “Other victims took notice,” Edwards said, “and realized that speaking out could lead to their personal lives being scrutinized relentlessly.”
Thames Valley Police, which is handling the investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged misconduct, has engaged with the woman’s legal team. However, her lawyer has stated that she would not communicate with police due to fears about her privacy. Edwards confirmed that the police had reached out to him for updates on the case. The force has described the investigation as part of its broader efforts to address public office misconduct, which includes assessing claims of sexual exploitation.
Call for Transparency and Support
Despite these challenges, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has reiterated its commitment to supporting victims. A spokesperson stated: “As part of the UK policing response, efforts have been made to contact victim-survivors who have already chosen to share their experiences publicly. In some cases, this has involved engagement with legal representatives; however, we recognize that we have not yet been able to reach everyone, and our efforts continue. We understand that coming forward can be incredibly difficult, and we want anyone affected to know they can do so in their own time, when they feel ready. Our door remains open.”
Edwards also highlighted the lack of communication from the Metropolitan Police since the US Department of Justice released the Epstein files in January. These documents detailed Epstein’s role in facilitating the trafficking of minors, including Giuffre, to the UK. McCawley, another US lawyer representing survivors who may have been trafficked, noted that the Metropolitan Police has not reached out to her clients since then. “I don’t believe I have received any form of communication from the Metropolitan Police,” she said, underscoring the disconnect between the US and UK authorities in this case.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including allegations of personal gain from his role as a trade envoy. He was arrested on 19 February 2023 on suspicion of misconduct in public office but was released under investigation. Thames Valley Police has described him as “a man in his 60s from Norfolk” to avoid naming suspects prematurely, a practice common in UK law enforcement to protect individuals until charges are formally filed.
Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death has left many of his victims without a direct link to the case, but the ongoing investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor aims to address the alleged exploitation that occurred during his time as a public figure.
Edwards and McCawley argue that the UK police’s handling of these cases has been inconsistent, leaving survivors uncertain about the support they will receive. While the National Police Chiefs’ Council maintains that victims will be treated with care and respect, the testimonies of Giuffre and others suggest that this confidence has yet to be fully earned. The continued reluctance of survivors to engage with authorities highlights the need for a more transparent and victim-centered approach in the UK’s investigation of Epstein’s network.