The Metropolitan police have declined requests to investigate Prince Andrew in light of the recent release of court documents relating to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The unsealing of 1,200 pages by a US court has brought forward accusations against the Duke of York, including allegations of sexual assault against Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager. Scotland Yard has stated that they will not be launching an investigation, as they believe the documents do not contain new information.
The released documents, which were unsealed in two batches by Judge Preska, mention several Epstein associates, including Prince Andrew, in relation to a case filed by Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015. In response to the release, the Met issued a statement saying, We are aware of the release of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it. No investigation has been launched.
Campaign group Republic reported Prince Andrew to the police following the release of the documents and expressed their disappointment with the Met’s decision. Republic’s chief executive, Graham Smith, stated, It is appalling. There are clearly grounds for an investigation. Epstein was convicted. Maxwell was convicted. The evidence is that Andrew was involved. Clearly they would investigate this if it was anyone else.
The unsealed witness statements include allegations from Johanna Sjoberg, who claimed that Prince Andrew groped her at Epstein’s house in New York in 2001 when she was 20 years old. Maxwell and Giuffre were reportedly present during the incident. Another filing features a woman referred to as Jane Doe #3, believed to be Giuffre, alleging that she was forced to engage in sexual relations with Prince Andrew as a minor in London, New York, and on Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands during an orgy involving multiple underage girls.
Smith highlighted the new details revealed in the documents, stating, There is some new detail in these documents and there are new accusations, for example the [alleged] underage orgy on Epstein’s island. I believe that sexual offenses committed overseas can be prosecuted in the UK. He also emphasized that there have always been grounds for a serious investigation, and questioned why the police have not pursued the matter, especially considering that Maxwell has already been convicted for related offenses.
Prince Andrew stepped down from public life in response to the controversy surrounding his association with Epstein and reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount in the sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre. Following Giuffre’s allegations of sexual assault when she was 17, the Duke of York was stripped of his working monarchy role and no longer uses his HRH style.
