UK Police Didn't Investigate Ex-Prince Andrew's Epstein Ties Before Arrest

New report claims British authorities were aware of allegations years ago but declined to open a criminal probe.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:34am

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A new report claims that UK police were aware of allegations involving former Prince Andrew and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein years before Andrew's recent arrest, but they chose not to open a criminal investigation at the time. The report states that London's Metropolitan Police interviewed Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking her to London in 2001, but the police decided against a full investigation despite having photographic evidence and flight logs.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about whether UK authorities properly investigated allegations against high-profile individuals like former Prince Andrew, and whether they failed to act on evidence that could have led to a criminal probe sooner. It also highlights ongoing concerns about how authorities handle allegations of sex trafficking and abuse by powerful figures.

The details

According to the report, the Metropolitan Police interviewed Giuffre three times in 2015 and 2016 about her allegations, but they decided not to open a full investigation. The police revisited that decision in 2019, 2021, and 2022, but again declined to proceed. Lawyer Paul G. Cassell, who represented Giuffre, claimed he approached Scotland Yard with photographic evidence and flight logs confirming Giuffre had been trafficked to the UK, but the police said no criminal allegations were made against any UK-based individuals. The former victims' commissioner for England and Wales, Vera Baird, also raised concerns after Prince Andrew's 2019 BBC interview, saying she thought it was "extraordinary" the police had not investigated the presence of Giuffre at Ghislaine Maxwell's house in London.

  • In 2015 and 2016, the Metropolitan Police interviewed Virginia Giuffre about her allegations.
  • In 2019, 2021, and 2022, the Metropolitan Police revisited the decision not to open a full investigation, but again declined to proceed.

The players

Virginia Giuffre

A woman who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking her to London in 2001.

Jeffrey Epstein

An American financier who was convicted of sex trafficking and died in prison in 2019.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A British socialite who was convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Prince Andrew

The former Duke of York, who was recently arrested for alleged "misconduct in public office" related to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Metropolitan Police

The police force responsible for Greater London, which reportedly declined to open a full investigation into the allegations against Prince Andrew and Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“There was photographic evidence of her whereabouts in London and flight logs confirming that she had been trafficked from the U.S. into the U.K.”

— Paul G. Cassell, Lawyer who represented Virginia Giuffre

“I thought it was extraordinary that the police had not investigated the presence of this girl at Ghislaine Maxwell's house in London.”

— Vera Baird, Former victims' commissioner for England and Wales

What’s next

The Metropolitan Police have stated they will assess any new, relevant information related to the case, but the report has raised several questions about their handling of the allegations against Prince Andrew and Epstein in the past.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about how authorities handle allegations of sex trafficking and abuse by powerful individuals, and whether they are willing to thoroughly investigate high-profile figures even when presented with evidence. It raises questions about whether UK police failed to properly investigate Prince Andrew's ties to Epstein before his recent arrest.