Police have urged a woman who claims to have been sent to the United Kingdom by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with the then Prince Andrew to come forward and speak directly to investigators. Thames Valley Police said they had contacted her lawyers and the US Department of Justice to obtain original documents from the Epstein files as part of their wider criminal investigation.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as the former prince is now known, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office (MIPO). The force has made clear that, while the MIPO investigation is broad, allegations of sexual misconduct form part of the inquiry. Officers said they have assembled a team of “our most experienced specialist investigators”, including detectives who handle sexual offences, and that the operation is understood to be of a similar scale to major crime investigations such as murder.
“In terms of Epstein victims and survivors, we hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward, and I really want to stress that our door is open,” said Oliver Wright, assistant chief constable for crime and criminal justice at Thames Valley Police. “Whenever a victim survivor is ready to engage with us, we’re ready for you, whenever that point may be.”
What is misconduct in public office?
Misconduct in public office is a common law criminal offence that concerns serious wilful abuse, or neglect, of the powers or responsibilities attached to a public office. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says there is “no simple definition” of public office, and each case must be assessed individually. For a conviction, prosecutors must prove that the defendant was a public officer acting in that capacity, wilfully neglected their duty or misconducted themselves to a degree that amounts to an abuse of public trust, and did so without reasonable excuse or justification. “Wilful” implies deliberate wrongdoing or reckless indifference; a mere mistake, poor judgment, or negligence is insufficient. The misconduct must be directly linked to the public office.
The offence can take many forms, including sexual misconduct, financial misconduct, corruption, and perversion of the course of justice. Police have said this breadth makes the investigation “complex” and potentially lengthy. An act of misconduct does not need to amount to a separate criminal offence to be considered, though any relevant act could be pursued via a separate investigation if deemed necessary.
The public office question
A central question in the investigation is whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s former position as a UK trade envoy qualifies as “public office” under the law. He served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from October 2001 until 2011, stepping down amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein. Documents released this month show the late Queen Elizabeth II was “very keen” for him to take on the role, with a 2000 memo stating her wish for him to have a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests.” Trade Minister Chris Bryant has since stated there was “no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken” before the appointment, attributing this to the role being a continuation of the Royal Family’s involvement in trade promotion.
Thames Valley Police are coordinating with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to ensure all relevant information is received and to obtain material from overseas law enforcement agencies. The NCA, sometimes referred to as “Britain’s FBI,” is supporting UK forces in reviewing the Epstein files.
Allegations and the police appeal
Police are specifically appealing for a woman, who is not British, who claims she was sent to the UK by Epstein in 2010 for a sexual encounter with the then Prince Andrew at his residence at the time, Royal Lodge. She was reportedly in her twenties. Her lawyer, Brad Edwards – a US attorney who has represented numerous Epstein victims and was instrumental in challenging Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal – has previously told the BBC: “We’re talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew.” After the alleged encounter, the woman claims she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has strenuously denied all allegations. The Independent has sought comment from him regarding the latest appeal.
The MIPO investigation also encompasses separate allegations that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive government trade information with Epstein during his time as trade envoy.
Broader context and witness encouragement
The force acknowledged that the “international scrutiny” surrounding the inquiry, combined with its complexity, could deter witnesses from coming forward. “I understand the high level of interest in this work, but please be patient as we continue to actively progress our investigation,” added Assistant Chief Constable Wright. “We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us through the normal non-urgent contact channels, such as the Thames Valley Police online portal.”
The case has reverberated beyond the Thames Valley force. Surrey Police have launched their own criminal investigation into allegations of historic child sexual abuse linked to the Epstein files, with two women coming forward. Former minister Peter Mandelson has also been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations of sharing confidential information with Epstein. The Metropolitan Police are investigating claims concerning the conduct of protection officers.
Virginia Giuffre, who accused Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual assault in a US civil lawsuit that was settled out of court, died by suicide in April. He has consistently denied her allegations. The broader fallout from the Epstein files has seen more victims, including women from the UK and Europe, come forward to seek compensation from Epstein’s estate, with lawyer Gloria Allred noting their engagement.
