Prime Minister Keir Starmer has intensified pressure on Prince Andrew to engage with police forces currently examining his connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking publicly, Starmer emphasised the fundamental legal principle that all individuals must be treated equally under the law, regardless of their status or position.
Multiple Police Forces Assessing Allegations
Nine separate UK police forces are now evaluating whether to initiate formal investigations into various Epstein-related allegations, which include serious claims of human trafficking and sexual assault. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it has commenced preliminary inquiries concerning allegations related to close protection officers assigned to Prince Andrew.
Specific Allegations Under Scrutiny
Prince Andrew faces multiple lines of inquiry. Photographic evidence from the Epstein files reportedly shows him kneeling over a young woman, while separate email communications suggest he may have shared confidential information from his former role as a UK trade envoy with the disgraced financier. Additionally, a former police officer has claimed that certain members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection command might have witnessed abusive activities at Epstein's private island, Little St James.
Surrey Police has specifically appealed for information regarding allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996, as detailed in a redacted report released by the US Department of Justice last December.
Starmer's Unequivocal Position
During an interview with BBC Breakfast, Sir Keir stated unequivocally: "Anybody who has any information should testify. So whether it's Andrew or anybody else, anybody who has got relevant information should come forward to whatever the relevant body is."
The Prime Minister further elaborated: "One of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law, and nobody is above the law, and it is really important that is applied across the board." He specifically connected this to broader issues of violence against women and girls, stating that anyone with relevant information has a duty to come forward.
Geographical Spread of Investigations
The police forces currently assessing potential investigations include Essex Police, Thames Valley Police, Bedfordshire Police, Norfolk Constabulary, Wiltshire Police, West Midlands Police, and Police Scotland, in addition to the Metropolitan and Surrey forces already mentioned. Most are examining Epstein's use of various UK airports, as documented in flight logs contained within the released files.
Prince Andrew, who celebrates his 66th birthday today, is also being urged to provide evidence to the ongoing US investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 under circumstances that have been widely questioned. The cumulative pressure from multiple police assessments and political figures creates a significant challenge for the royal, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his association with Epstein.
