Metropolitan Police Launch “initial Inquiries” Into Close Protection Officers Formerly

Metropolitan Police launch “initial inquiries” into close protection officers formerly assigned to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over alleged blind-eye conduct London, UK The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has begun initial inquiries into former close protection officers once assigned to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, amid allegations that they may have “wilfully turned a blind eye” to activities involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during trips to his private island in the late 1990s and early 2000s, police confirmed on Wednesday.
The assessment follows an interview given to British media by an unnamed ex-senior Metropolitan Police protection officer claiming that teams from the Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) unit may have witnessed concerning behaviour when accompanying Andrew including visits to Epstein’s Little Saint James island known colloquially as “paedophile island”. In a statement, the MPS said it is carrying out early enquiries to “establish the facts” around the allegations involving the former protection officers. So far, police have not identified any wrongdoing but are continuing to examine information from various sources. If the initial police assessment suggests potential misconduct, the matter would normally be passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to decide whether a full probe and possible disciplinary or criminal proceedings are warranted. The inquiries stem from claims by a former protection officer that certain members of Andrew’s protective detail may have been “too close” to their principal and failed to act on what they witnessed during Epstein-linked visits, including boarding Epstein’s plane commonly referred to in reporting as the “Lolita Express” and accompanying him to Little Saint James. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse have alleged they were trafficked and sexually assaulted on the island. While these are criminal matters that have drawn global attention, those specific claims do not form part of the Met’s current inquiries into its own former officers; rather, police are focused on whether officers properly carried out their duties and reported concerns. The development comes amid broader scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to Epstein, including millions of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice and subsequent police investigations across the UK. At least three forces the Met, Thames Valley Police and Surrey Police are part of a coordinated task force reviewing newly released files and checking whether allegations merit formal criminal investigation Thames Valley Police is separately assessing claims of misconduct in public office related to documents suggesting Andrew may have shared confidential material with Epstein, though no decision has been taken on whether to open a full criminal investigation. The Met’s move to investigate former protection officers underscores the complexity of unravelling historic allegations involving high-profile figures and security personnel. Experts say police inquiries into professional conduct by officers must balance fairness, evidence thresholds and public confidence in law enforcement. Analysts also note that independent oversight by bodies like the IOPC is vital to maintain accountability. Meanwhile, separate legal and public pressure continues over Andrew’s alleged involvement with Epstein: civil suits, survivor advocacy and calls for full transparency have kept the story in public focus, with lawyers for Epstein accusers urging authorities to secure witness testimony from those who may have relevant information. The Metropolitan Police is conducting initial inquiries into alleged conduct by former close protection officers once assigned to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. So far no wrongdoing by officers has been identified; police are gathering evidence to determine next steps.
Should the initial inquiries reveal concerns, the IOPC could decide whether a full investigation is appropriate.
The broader context of the Epstein-related investigations includes joint work by multiple UK forces reviewing documents and allegations connected to Andrew and others.
This development marks a notable moment in the ongoing unravelling of the Epstein saga and its ripples within UK institutions, including the monarchy’s past security arrangements. How police handle historic allegations and whether they lead to formal proceedings will likely continue to attract public and legal scrutiny in the weeks and months ahead.