Royal Protection Officers Accused of Ignoring Andrew's Epstein Island Visits
A former royal protection officer has made explosive claims that police teams turned a blind eye to Prince Andrew's activities during visits to Jeffrey Epstein's private island. The allegations come amid mounting pressure on the disgraced former prince, following the release of three million pages from the Epstein Files in the United States.
Details of the Alleged Visits
The unnamed officer, whose identity was protected, told LBC that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the then-Duke of York, visited Epstein's Caribbean island, Little St James, at least twice with protection teams in tow. According to the source, these trips involved flying on Epstein's private jet, infamously known as the Lolita Express.
The officer expressed deep concern over what the protection team might have witnessed on the island, stating: "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." This raises serious questions about the conduct and oversight of officers assigned to safeguard members of the Royal Family.
Broader Context and Ongoing Investigations
These claims emerge against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny. The recent release of the Epstein Files included apparent emails between Andrew and the convicted paedophile, as well as a disturbing image of Andrew on all fours over a woman. Additionally, Surrey Police have urged individuals with information about human trafficking and sexual assault allegations dating back to 1994, which appeared in the files, to come forward.
The former officer also alleged a culture of fear within the Royal Protection Unit (RaSP), where members were too scared to report any supposed misconduct by royals. "They seemed more loyal to the Royal Family than to the Met - and that’s wrong," the source claimed, adding that officers who reported royal behaviour were often swiftly removed from the unit and reassigned to uniform duties.
Police Response and Further Enquiries
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated: "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 Met emphasised that any new allegations would be assessed in the usual way, including for misconduct or criminal matters, but declined to comment further due to ongoing enquiries. This follows reports that several police forces are assessing information surrounding Andrew, including allegations that victims flew into the UK on the Lolita Express and that private information was handed over to Epstein.
Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him, but these latest claims add to the growing controversy and call for transparency in how royal protection operations are conducted and monitored.
