British police forces have created a new national coordination group to assess allegations linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein that may involve the UK, including claims concerning his associates such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The move follows the release of millions of documents in the United States relating to Epstein’s trafficking of women and his network of powerful contacts. Senior officers expect further allegations to emerge as the material continues to be examined.
At least three UK forces are currently reviewing claims connected to the case. A national committee, chaired by gold commander Louisa Rolfe, a former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner, met this week and is due to reconvene next week. The group includes senior officers with expertise in sexual offences.
One senior policing source warned that a “tsunami” of allegations was anticipated as a result of the publication of the Epstein files.
Thames Valley Police are assessing two separate allegations involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and whether they warrant a full criminal investigation. Surrey Police are reviewing another claim concerning the former prince.
The Metropolitan Police are also part of the national group. They are investigating Peter Mandelson over allegations that he passed information to Epstein while serving as a Labour government minister.
Other forces have declined to confirm whether they are examining specific claims. Bedfordshire Police were unable to say whether they were assessing reports that Luton Airport may have been used by aircraft linked to Epstein. Essex Police similarly would not confirm whether Stansted Airport had been examined in relation to alleged trafficking flights.
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 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 structure mirrors the national response established during the Jimmy Savile scandal more than a decade ago. Its purpose is to ensure forces do not duplicate work when dealing with overlapping allegations involving the same individuals.
Part of the group’s remit includes making formal requests to the United States authorities for access to original unredacted documents, rather than individual forces submitting separate applications.
For now, each force retains operational control. However, one source familiar with internal 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.”
Recent releases of documents have prompted renewed scrutiny. Thames Valley Police are examining claims that Mountbatten-Windsor used his role as a British trade envoy to pass potentially sensitive information to Epstein. They are also assessing an allegation that Epstein sent a second woman to the UK in 2010 for sex with the former prince in Windsor.
Despite the growing number of claims, one police source cautioned that media revelations do not automatically translate into criminal charges. “Andrew may be a barefaced liar, but that does not mean he committed a criminal offence.”
The Metropolitan Police have previously reviewed sexual abuse allegations involving Mountbatten-Windsor on two occasions and concluded they did not justify 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.”
The investigation remains at the assessment stage, but the formation of a national coordination group signals that UK authorities are preparing for further developments as scrutiny of the Epstein files continues.
