Epstein files could be just tip of the iceberg for Andrew investigation

[Emrys]

When Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at about 08:00 on Thursday, it had nothing to do with Virginia Giuffre, the woman who accused him of sexual abuse.

What led to him being arrested started with information that came out in the massive Epstein file release in January, around activities while he was a trade envoy for the British government. But it will not have stopped there.

It was emails in those files that seem to be between Andrew and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that led to Thames Valley Police getting involved.

One email in particular stood out. In November 2010, after Andrew had returned from a UK government-funded trip to Asia, he was sent a series of country reports relating to his trip.

Within five minutes of receiving them he seems to have forwarded them to Epstein, who had by this point already been convicted and spent time in prison for sex offences.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd032xnm804o

The article describes police efforts so far to seek further information and corroboration from sources other than the Epstein files, though later releases from them may add to the evidence.

Not least because some folks appear to have been frustrated after the initial excitement when people thought today's arrest might be about sexual offences, then when it became apparent that wasn't the case, nothing is going to be done about them, I'll add here something I wrote in reply to an earlier OP which will probably slip down the page only too quickly for many to read:

Andrew's now been released while investigations continue. People should note that he hasn't been charged with anything yet.

But other investigations into Andrew and Epstein's activities have been under way for some time, and may yet pan out.

From February 3:

Police assess allegation Epstein sent second woman to UK for sex with Andrew

Thames Valley Police says it is assessing allegations, reported by the BBC, that a second woman was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince's residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.

Her lawyer, Brad Edwards, has previously told BBC News: "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew."

The BBC asked Mountbatten-Windsor for comment about the allegations when it was first reported, but he is yet to respond, and has previously strongly denied any wrongdoing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3zg9g3v4lo

At the time that report was being written, no formal allegations had been made directly to the police. The same day, the anti-royalist campaign group Republic made an official complaint, which spurred investigations:

Andrew reported to police over Epstein sex trafficking allegations

ANDREW Mountbatten-Windsor has been reported to the police following allegations he was involved in trafficking a woman to the UK for sex.

It is alleged that Andrew was involved in bringing the woman to the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation in 2010.

After the latest release of the Epstein files, a second woman came forward alleging that she was sent to the UK by the convicted sex offender and financier.

The woman's lawyer, Brad Edwards from the US firm Edwards Henderson, claimed the encounter allegedly occurred at the former prince's residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010, according to The BBC.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25821513.andrew-reported-police-epstein-sex-trafficking-allegations/

Developments have been going on behind the scenes since then, until (this is from the Sun, but this sordid stuff is its home turf, after all):

ANDY SEX CLAIMS: Seven police forces assess Epstein files & 90 ‘Lolita Express’ flights to UK as Andy faces ‘sex trafficking’ probe

SEVEN forces are now assessing evidence in the Epstein files as part of a nationwide probe co-ordinated by a team of British police chiefs.

Their checks include up to 90 flights into Stansted’s private terminal by the jet owned by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein.

Of those, 15 were after the US financier was jailed in 2008 for soliciting underage sex.

Essex Police are now examining flight logs and emails.

Ex-PM Gordon Brown said messages contained in the Epstein files linked Andrew, 65, to at least one victim who was flown into Stansted on the “Lolita Express” before being sneaked into Buckingham Palace.

Late on Tuesday, Essex Police said: “We are assessing the information that has emerged in relation to private flights into and out of Stansted Airport following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/38246985/andrew-sex-trafficking-probe-epstein-lolita-express/

An additional line of inquiry has also been opened:

Met making 'initial inquiries' into claims about Andrew protection officers
...
It comes after an unnamed former senior Met protection officer told LBC that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) may have "wilfully turned a blind eye" during visits to a private island owned by Jeffery Epstein.

Multiple survivors have alleged they were trafficked to and abused on the island, known as Little St James, which Epstein purchased in 1998.

In a statement, the Met said it had "not identified any wrongdoing" but "initial enquiries into these specific allegations have begun so we can establish the facts".

Speaking to LBC on Tuesday, external, the former Met protection officer claimed Andrew's protection team travelled with him to the private island on at least two occasions, including travelling on Epstein's private jet on one of those occasions.

The unnamed former officer said there were "real concerns" in the late 1990s and early 2000s that the "royal protection team became too close to their principals", and staff were "terrified" of being demoted.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy57ry1vne0o

There have also been allegations that Andrew instructed his security detail to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre in response to her lawsuit against him.

[Emrys]

1. I've now cross-posted this OP in Editorials & Other Articles for longer visibility

See here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016423617

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. K&R

[IcyPeas]

3. C'mon Andrew.... spill the beans.... what do you know? Name names.