Active inquiries are at a very early stage as Police Scotland reviews received information regarding the late sex offender's visit to the Balmoral estate. The force previously pursued details concerning allegations that Epstein chartered private flights to transport women through Edinburgh Airport. The widening scrutiny follows newly unsealed American documents, including correspondence suggesting the former royal shared confidential materials with Epstein. Andrew continues to strongly deny all allegations of criminal wrongdoing and previously settled a US civil suit without admitting liability.
Key points
Authorities are scrutinizing serious allegations that victims were trafficked directly to…: Authorities are scrutinizing serious allegations that victims were trafficked directly to a royal castle under the guise of high-profile visits.
Newly released US legal documents containing sensitive emails have reignited British law…: Newly released US legal documents containing sensitive emails have reignited British law enforcement interest in Andrew's past conduct.
Despite settling a high-profile civil lawsuit without admitting liability in 2022, Andrew…: Despite settling a high-profile civil lawsuit without admitting liability in 2022, Andrew remains under persistent criminal scrutiny across Britain.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
LONDON: Scottish police are in the "very early stage" of probing the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's reported stay at the royal Balmoral estate at the invitation of ex-prince Andrew, UK media reported Friday (Oct 30).
Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking, is believed to have visited the British monarch's estate in northeast Scotland in 1999 along with his jailed ex-girlfriend and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The pair are thought to have stayed following an invite from Andrew, who has previously acknowledged his friendships with both but has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
"We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing but these are at a very early stage," Police Scotland said in a brief statement to some UK media, without elaborating on the probe.
The Daily Express newspaper reported the inquiries were related to alleged trafficking of women to the Scottish Highlands castle - now the property of King Charles III, but at the time belonging to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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