Probe into Andrew and Epstein’s Balmoral visit in ‘very early stages’ – police
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who Police Scotland says was present at Balmoral alongside convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell during the period now under active investigation.Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, whose visits to Balmoral are said to date to 1999, as Police Scotland describes its trafficking inquiry as at a "very early stage.
Police Scotland has confirmed it is conducting active inquiries into visits made by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the King's private Highland estate, following claims that women were trafficked there. The probe is at a "very early stage," the force said, adding that victim survivors' needs are at the heart of its inquiries. Andrew, 66, has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offence.
One woman has previously alleged that Andrew personally welcomed Epstein's group, which included an unspecified number of young women, when they arrived at the castle.
Andrew was already under a separate police investigation, having been arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to comment, saying police investigations "should properly be independent"; Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he "understands the seriousness" of the allegations.
