The Metropolitan Police are investigating claims that royal protection officers may have “turned a blind eye” during visits to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
An unnamed former bodyguard has alleged that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command grew too close to the former Duke of York while working for him.
The source told LBC Radio that the protection team accompanied Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein’s Little St James island on at least two occasions, including one trip on Epstein’s private jet.
The claims are particularly alarming given that numerous women have alleged they were trafficked to the island and sexually abused.
Police are now examining whether officers failed in their duty to protect or report potential criminal activity while accompanying the royal.
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The investigation is part of a broader UK-wide probe into Epstein’s activities, which includes seven police forces examining allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking connected to his network.
Stansted Airport has also been scrutinized following reports that victims were flown into the UK aboard Epstein’s “Lolita Express” private jet.
The Metropolitan Police have stressed that these allegations are being taken seriously and are part of an ongoing inquiry. Witnesses with relevant information are being urged to come forward to assist in the investigation.
The retired officer said: “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.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman told The Telegraph: “Protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional behaviour as all police officers.
“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. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while other enquiries related to these matters are ongoing.”
Adding to the growing controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, reports emerged last year that the former Duke of York allegedly asked a royal protection officer to investigate Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre had come forward claiming she had been trafficked to the UK and forced to have sexual encounters with the Duke.
According to the allegations, the Duke provided the officer with Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number just before a photograph of the two was published in a British newspaper in February 2011.
Scotland Yard confirmed that it conducted an assessment into the officer’s actions but found no additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. While the official inquiry did not lead to charges, the revelations have fuelled broader scrutiny over the role of royal protection officers and the potential handling of sensitive allegations in high-profile cases.
