Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor protection officers face ‘blind eye’ allegations as Met begins enquiries
Scotland Yard is initiating inquiries into allegations concerning close protection officers who previously provided security for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The claims center around potential failures to observe activity during trips to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.
Allegations of Oversight
The Metropolitan Police stated that protection officers are held to the same professional standards as all other police personnel. Initial investigations into the specific allegations have begun, with the stated aim of establishing the facts. The allegations first surfaced through an interview conducted by LBC with a retired senior Metropolitan Police protection officer.
Concerns Raised by Former Officer
The former officer alleged that security personnel assigned to Mountbatten-Windsor “could have wilfully turned a blind eye” to events unfolding on Little Saint James, Epstein’s island in the US Virgin Islands. Epstein purchased the island in 1998, and it later became linked to accusations of trafficking and sexual abuse. Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The former officer claimed that Mountbatten-Windsor’s security detail accompanied him to the island on at least two occasions, including one trip aboard Epstein’s private aircraft. The central question, according to the former officer, is what the protection team may have witnessed during their time on the island.
Concerns About Conduct and Reporting
The former officer also suggested there were concerns in the late 1990s and early 2000s regarding the closeness of some royal protection personnel to those they were tasked with guarding. Reports indicate that staff allegedly feared demotion if they raised concerns, and those who did submit reports were purportedly removed from their positions and reassigned to uniform duties.
The Metropolitan Police stated that any new allegations will be assessed in line with standard procedures, encompassing potential misconduct and criminal matters. However, they added that commenting further while other inquiries are underway would be inappropriate.
Broader Investigations
These developments coincide with ongoing assessments by several UK police forces of material released from US Department of Justice files related to Epstein. Essex Police confirmed it is “assessing” information concerning private flights at Stansted Airport. Other forces are also reviewing information connected to the Epstein files, indicating a coordinated response to examine various aspects of the material and related allegations.
Thames Valley Police is currently assessing allegations linked to Mountbatten-Windsor’s contacts with Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the current investigation?
The investigation was prompted by allegations made by a retired senior Metropolitan Police protection officer, who claimed some officers may have “wilfully turned a blind eye” during trips to Jeffrey Epstein’s island.
What is Little Saint James’s significance?
Little Saint James is Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, which later became associated with allegations of trafficking and sexual abuse.
What is the Metropolitan Police’s current position?
The Metropolitan Police has stated that protection officers are held to high professional standards and that initial inquiries into the allegations have begun to establish the facts.
As investigations continue, what level of scrutiny will be applied to the conduct of those entrusted with high-profile security details?