Police set up national group to deal with UK-related Epstein allegations

British police have set up a new national group to deal with allegations that Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking of women had ties to Britain, as well as claims against his associates, such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.At least three British police forces are dealing with allegations triggered by the revelations about Epstein and his associates in documents released in the US, with more claims of wrongdoing expected by police officials.A national committee to coordinate the police operations met this week and is scheduled to meet again next week. The group includes police experts on sexual offending and is chaired by a gold commander, Louisa Rolfe, who was previously a Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner.One senior policing source said a “tsunami” of allegations was expected as a result of the release of millions of papers relating to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who trafficked women and had a network of powerful friends.The forces involved include Thames Valley Police, which are assessing two separate claims against Mountbatten-Windsor and whether they merit a full criminal investigation, and Surrey Police, which are assessing another allegation against the former prince.Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all wrongdoing.The Met, which is also part of the group, is criminally investigating Peter Mandelson for allegedly passing information to Epstein while a Labour government minister.Bedfordshire police were unable to say whether they were assessing claims that Luton airport, which is in the force’s area, was used by planes linked to Epstein to traffic women.Similarly, Essex Police could not say whether they were assessing claims that Stansted airport had been used for such flights, with the former British prime minister Gordon Brown saying police should take action.A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “A national coordination group has been set up to support a small number of forces assessing allegations that have emerged following the publication of the US DoJ [Department of Justice] Epstein files.“We continue to work collaboratively to assess the details being made public to allow us to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been published.”The national coordination group is a measure similar to that set up to deal with the explosion in sexual abuse allegations triggered by the Jimmy Savile scandal more than a decade ago. It is intended to avoid duplication in the handling of allegations involving the same individuals.Part of the group’s role is to make formal approaches to obtain the original unredacted documents from the US, rather than each police force having to make separate requests.As yet, it is not a national investigation and each force retains operation control. A source with knowledge of discussions said: “It is not a national operation, but it is heading in that direction. The feeling in policing is this is going to grow arms and legs.”The latest release of documents from the Epstein files a fortnight ago led to new revelations.The Thames Valley assessment covers claims that Mountbatten-Windsor used his position as a British trade envoy to potentially give sensitive information to Epstein. Claims that the former prince used his position as a British trade envoy to pass potentially sensitive information to Epstein are being examined by the force.They are also examining a claim that Epstein sent a second woman to the UK for sex with the former prince in Windsor in 2010.Another police source warned that the avalanche of allegations and revelations in the news media might not be enough to prompt full criminal investigations, let alone bring prosecutions: “Andrew may be a barefaced liar, but that does not mean he committed a criminal offence.”The Met has twice looked at sexual abuse allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor and decided they did not merit a full investigation.A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “A number of police forces are currently assessing allegations that have emerged following the publication of the FBI Epstein files.“As a result, nationally, policing is seeking access to unredacted versions of the material to enable a full and independent assessment of the information released. This will allow all forces to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been made publicly available.”