UK Police Pressed to Speak with Epstein Victim in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Investigation
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein are demanding that UK police contact Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged 'second victim' after Britain's top police officer confirmed officers are scrutinising "a whole range of suggested sexual allegations". This development intensifies pressure on the former royal, who has faced accusations from two victims of the disgraced financier.
Fresh Scrutiny on Sexual Allegations
The call comes as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was pictured for the first time in the grounds of Sandringham, Norfolk, following his arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Virginia Giuffre, before her death last year, accused him of abusing her in London, New York, and on a private Caribbean island, claims he has always vehemently denied. He settled a civil abuse case with her for a reported £12 million out-of-court payment.
Now, Johanna Sjoberg, 43, has alleged that the former Duke of York committed a "sexual act" on her. The hairdresser testified under oath that she was fondled by Mountbatten-Windsor inside Epstein's Manhattan mansion in 2001. Crucially, she claims this incident occurred in front of Virginia Giuffre, placing her at the heart of events in Epstein's New York home.
Police Review and Witness Focus
British police are considering whether to speak directly with Sjoberg, now a successful Florida businesswoman, to establish what she witnessed and what Giuffre may have told her about events in London. This follows Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley's visit to the United States, where he confirmed detectives are reviewing a wide range of allegations linked to Epstein and his associates.
Sources indicate that Sjoberg has become a focus of renewed police interest after the release of nearly three million US Government Epstein files, much of which is redacted. These files have already led to the arrests of Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with both denying wrongdoing.
Victims' Appeals and Accountability
An Epstein victim, a 39-year-old mother of two who knew Johanna, urged Sir Mark to contact Sjoberg about her knowledge. She praised Sir Mark's approach, stating, "Sir Mark is doing what should have been done years ago, actually listening to victims and following the evidence wherever it leads. Johanna surely saw things; she was there, and her voice matters."
She added, "You cannot keep ignoring people because of who is involved. This is about accountability, and it has to apply to everyone, no exceptions. Survivors have waited long enough to be taken seriously, and every delay just deepens the damage."
Evidence and Investigation Challenges
Sir Mark has emphasised that British investigators are seeking access to unredacted evidence held by US authorities, warning it may be vital if cases progress. He said, "Of course, there's a big body of that evidence ... in the United States in all those files and at some stage we're going to need the unredacted evidence. We need the original copy, and where it came from, and that's going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases."
His intervention is part of a wider investigation that includes allegations of misconduct in public office. Detectives believe key material remains buried within vast US case files linked to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, but the sexual allegations are now back under the spotlight.
Sworn Testimony and Alleged Incidents
Sjoberg's claims were detailed in sworn testimony during Giuffre's defamation case against Maxwell. In her deposition, she alleged Mountbatten-Windsor carried out a "sexual act" on her and described being present during encounters between him and Giuffre. According to Giuffre, she was "loaned" to the royal in Epstein's New York mansion in 2001, with Sjoberg present.
Sjoberg also described a photograph taken during the same visit, involving a Spitting Image puppet of the Duke. She said, "They put the puppet on Virginia's lap, and I sat on Andrew's lap, and they put the puppet's hand on Virginia's breast, and Andrew put his hand on my breast, and they took a photo." She further alleged she had been trafficked alongside Giuffre, both lured into Epstein's orbit by Maxwell.
Police Stance and Ongoing Review
Sir Mark acknowledged that previous interviews with Giuffre did not yield evidence that could be pursued in the UK, but stressed the current review would follow the evidence wherever it leads. He stated, "Those investigations all go wherever the evidence takes them, quite comfortable with investigating sort of famous or powerful people. I think it's really important for policing to do that, that sense of operating without fear or favour. The law applies equally to everyone."
The case has gained renewed urgency following Giuffre's suicide, prompting Sjoberg to speak out. Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, and Maxwell was later convicted of sex trafficking offences, serving a 20-year prison sentence.
