Defence Secretary Launches Review into Epstein's Use of RAF Bases
Defence Secretary John Healey has instructed officials to conduct a thorough review of military records to uncover any evidence linking Jeffrey Epstein to the trafficking of women into Britain through Royal Air Force bases. He has mandated that no stone be left unturned in this investigation, which will scrutinize more than two decades of Ministry of Defence documents.
Background and Allegations
This directive follows recent claims by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who suggested that the British state may have inadvertently facilitated Epstein's crimes by permitting his private jet to land at RAF bases, sometimes with unidentified women on board. Brown highlighted a specific flight in December 2000, when Epstein's Gulfstream aircraft landed at a Norfolk airbase before he visited Sandringham with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show he shared confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as a trade envoy. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Scope of the Investigation
An MoD spokesperson confirmed to Sky News that the defence secretary has ordered a comprehensive review of all departmental records related to Epstein's flights landing at RAF bases. The goal is to ensure any information pertaining to Epstein's crimes is identified and handed over to the appropriate authorities. The MoD has pledged full cooperation with any civilian police investigations and expressed solidarity with the victims of Epstein's heinous acts.
Private jets are allowed to land at military bases by prior arrangement and for a fee, provided they do not disrupt operations. While RAF flight logs are typically deleted after three months, emails between MoD officials and private travelers are retained, which could provide crucial evidence.
Details from Recent Files
The latest release of Epstein files reveals that his private jet landed at RAF bases on multiple occasions. Records indicate flights into RAF Northolt in northwest London and RAF Marham in Norfolk at least four times between 2000 and 2019. Further details, including passenger manifests, may be uncovered through the ongoing military records search.
Officials will examine MoD emails for any correspondence related to Epstein or his team booking RAF airfields. The US administration has provided details of Epstein's plane to aid in this search, enhancing the potential for discovering relevant records.
This investigation underscores the ongoing efforts to address the full extent of Epstein's criminal network and its possible connections to British institutions.
