Metropolitan Police Officers Instructed to Guard Jeffrey Epstein Dinner for Prince Andrew, Emails Show
Newly released emails have revealed that Metropolitan Police officers were told to provide security for a lavish party at Jeffrey Epstein's home in New York in December 2010, where Prince Andrew was the guest of honor. This disclosure adds to the mounting pressure on the Met Police, which has faced criticism for its handling of cases related to the convicted paedophile.
Details of the 2010 Dinner Party
According to the emails, two of Prince Andrew's protection officers were instructed to guard the celebrity dinner, which included high-profile attendees such as filmmaker Woody Allen, US news anchors Katie Couric and George Stephanopoulos, and comedian Chelsea Handler. The email, sent the night before the event with the heading 'Security for party,' stated: 'The Duke’s 2 protection officers along with state security will all be here for tomorrow’s dinner party. Rich has given them instructions on the door.'
The mention of 'state security' suggests that US diplomatic protection officers were also present. 'Rich' is believed to refer to Richard Barnett, Epstein's chief engineer and security fixer. This arrangement implies that the Met Police effectively acted as bouncers for Epstein, a convicted paedophile, raising ethical and legal concerns about the force's involvement.
Broader Implications for the Monarchy and Police
This revelation comes as the monarchy faces its biggest crisis in decades, following Prince Andrew's arrest this week on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held for 11 hours in police custody on his 66th birthday before being released under investigation. The arrest is part of an ongoing probe into claims that Andrew shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy.
In his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew claimed he traveled to New York in 2010 solely to 'cut ties' with Epstein. However, the emails indicate that four days into the trip, Epstein hosted an elite dinner party for Andrew at his residence on 71st Street. Previous reports by The Times noted that two of Andrew's bodyguards stayed with him at Epstein's mansion for over a week during this visit, with Epstein personally offering to accommodate the protection team.
Ongoing Investigations and Responses
The Met Police has stated that it is contacting all of Andrew's former protection officers to determine if they witnessed any potential wrongdoing. A spokesperson said: 'They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard may be relevant to our ongoing reviews.' Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The investigation is being led by Thames Valley Police, which recently searched Andrew's former home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, Berkshire. Meanwhile, Andrew remains at a cottage on the King's Sandringham estate. He was photographed leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk on Thursday evening, appearing slouched in the back of a vehicle.
Additional Context and Public Reaction
This scandal has sparked widespread public and media scrutiny, with related stories highlighting the involvement of other royal family members. For instance, reports indicate that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie held 'crisis talks' with King Charles, while Sarah Ferguson reportedly stayed at a luxury wellness clinic as details of the Epstein scandal emerged. Ghislaine Maxwell's brother has also made comments suggesting Andrew is the real victim in this case, though such claims are contentious.
The Met Police has not charged anyone in connection with the Epstein files, further fueling criticism of the force's transparency and accountability. As the investigation continues, these emails underscore the complex web of relationships and security arrangements that have embroiled both the police and the monarchy in controversy.
