Metropolitan Police Launches Inquiry into Royal Protection Officers' Conduct
The Metropolitan Police has initiated an investigation into allegations that royal protection officers assigned to Prince Andrew, also known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, may have "turned a blind eye" during his visits to the private island of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This probe follows claims from a former officer that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) command could have witnessed abusive activities on Little St James Island.
Allegations of Witnessed Abuse and Withheld Information
According to an unnamed former Met officer, Prince Andrew's protection team accompanied him on at least two trips to Epstein's island, including a journey on Epstein's private jet, infamously nicknamed the "Lolita." The officer raised concerns about what these officers might have observed, stating, "The big question for me is what Andrew’s protection team witnessed on Epstein island. 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."
Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew's primary accuser who passed away last year, alleged she was forced into sexual encounters with him on three occasions, including one on Little St James in the early 2000s. Multiple other survivors have also reported being trafficked and abused on the island, which Epstein acquired in the US Virgin Islands in 1998.
Police Response and Ongoing Assessments
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson commented, "At this time, we have not identified any wrongdoing by any protection officers. However, initial enquiries into these specific allegations have begun so we can establish the facts. As with any investigation, should any new allegations come to light, these will be assessed in the usual way. This includes any misconduct or criminal matters."
In an interview with LBC, the former protection officer elaborated on the situation, expressing "real concerns" that the bodyguards became excessively close to the Royal Family and might have "withheld information" from the police about events on the island. He noted that officers in the Royal Protection Unit were "terrified" to report misconduct, as those who had previously filed reports were reassigned to uniformed duties. "I certainly thought that a line was crossed to the point that we were concerned that information was being withheld from the police. They seemed more loyal to the Royal Family than to the Met - and that’s wrong," he explained, adding that some officers began adopting royal mannerisms, such as wearing signet rings.
Broader Investigations and Denials
Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles last year due to his connections with Epstein, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, multiple police forces across the UK are evaluating whether to launch investigations based on allegations revealed in the release of over three million Epstein files. For instance, Thames Valley Police is reviewing claims that Epstein provided a woman to Prince Andrew at the Royal Lodge in 2010 and assessing allegations that Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
This unfolding scandal highlights ongoing scrutiny into the conduct of royal protection officers and their potential involvement in or awareness of illicit activities linked to high-profile figures.
