Searches continue at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home as calls grow for investigations into his links with Jeffrey Epstein, after he was arrested and released under investigation
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has demanded several police forces across the UK launch an investigation into whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used taxpayer-funded jets and RAF bases to meet up with Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prime minister suggested that civil servants should be questioned about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, including almost three years when Mr Brown was in No 10. He has also demanded a full investigation into the trade envoy role, its cost to taxpayers, and any evidence that links Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s government work to Epstein.
According to The Sunday Telegraph the letters contained “new and additional information”. While their contents were not publicly disclosed they reportedly show Mr Brown’s deep concern that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor used chartered RAF fights to attend personal engagements that could have involved Epstein.
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Mr Brown believes that airline employees and staff at the nine airports should be questioned about Epstein’s flights to the UK. He has called for any records held by the MoD to be handed to the police and for a thorough investigation establishing what diligence checks were carried out on Epstein before he was cleared to land.
This weekend the Royal Family will be attempting to carry out their engagements as normal, with the Prince and Princess of Wales scheduled to make public appearances. On Saturday, Kate donned an England Rugby scarf whilst watching the Guinness Men’s Six Nations in Twickenham. It will mark her first public outing since Andrew’s arrest on Thursday.
Andrew endured 11 hours in police custody on Thursday, coinciding with his 66th birthday, before being released under investigation, following claims he disclosed sensitive information to Epstein whilst serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Officers maintained their search of Andrew’s previous residence, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, Berkshire, throughout Friday and Saturday. Andrew has refuted any misconduct regarding his connections to the convicted sex offender Epstein.
Following his younger brother’s detention, the King released a statement declaring that “the law must take its course” and the police have “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation”.
Thames Valley Police, who are spearheading the investigation, have not yet obtained any “early investigative advice” from the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the allegation, it is believed. Detectives have urged Andrew’s former close protection officers to “consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard” during their service could be relevant to the investigation into Epstein and his associates.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman told the Telegraph it was “standard practice” for private or commercial aircraft to use RAF airfields, “subject to fees which cover all costs”. The spokesman added: “Such use is not automatic and will only be approved when there is no adverse impact to military aircraft and where approval would not interfere with the security or smooth running of the airfield.”