Security for Prince Andrew’s Party at Epstein’s Compound
Reports have emerged indicating that Metropolitan Police officers were directed to provide security for a party hosted by then-Prince Andrew at Jeffrey Epstein’s New York residence.
According to emails recently made public by the US Department of Justice, two members of Scotland Yard’s royal protection team were asked by Epstein’s associates to stand guard at his Manhattan townhouse during a 2010 event in memory of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the BBC stated.
The even featured several high-profile attendees, including director Woody Allen and his wife Soon-Yi Previn, comedian Chelsea Handler, television host Charlie Rose, and news personalities Katie Couric and George Stephanopoulos. Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was among those invited but he reportedly could not make it.
As noted by the Times of London, the fact that Metropolitan Police officers were essentially acting as bodyguards for a convicted pedophile is likely to be a significant embarrassment for the UK’s largest police force, which has historically failed to bring anyone to justice regarding the Epstein case.
This information comes to light following reports that Andrew’s personal bodyguard was held captive in Epstein’s mansion for over a week during a visit to New York in 2010, even receiving the building’s security code. This timeline contradicts Andrew’s 2019 assertion that he visited New York solely to “cut ties” with Epstein, who was found guilty of child sex trafficking.
On Friday, the Metropolitan Police stated they would reach out to all of Andrew’s former bodyguards to determine if they observed any misconduct. They encouraged those individuals to reflect on any relevant information regarding ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the police have been searching Andrew’s former residence in Windsor following his arrest last Thursday. This marked a historic moment, being the first arrest of a senior royal in nearly 400 years since the arrest of Charles I in 1647.
Previously, the Met opted not to prosecute Prince Andrew concerning allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein, in 2021. Nevertheless, Andrew reportedly settled with Giuffre for £12 million the following year without admitting guilt.
His recent arrest appears to be distinct from the sexual misconduct allegations, led by Thames Valley Police, focusing on allegations of misconduct in office after he was suspected of passing sensitive UK government information to Epstein while serving as the UK trade envoy.
This development has sparked calls for a new parliamentary inquiry, notably from former security minister Tom Tugendhat, who raised questions about the implications of the situation on the country and whether it warrants revisiting the centuries-old Treason Act.
Additionally, the Labour government is currently facing its own Epstein-related concerns, including investigations involving former ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, suspected of leaking state secrets to a financier, and is reportedly considering legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession.
