British police examine claims former Prince Andrew passed confidential trade reports to Epstein

WASHINGTON, DC: British police said that they were assessing allegations that former Prince Andrew shared sensitive UK trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a government trade envoy.

Thames Valley Police, which covers areas west of London, including Windsor, a key royal residence, confirmed that it had received information related to the claims and was reviewing it.

“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” the force said in a statement.

Allegations linked to newly released Epstein files

The claims surfaced following the US Justice Department’s release of millions of documents connected to Epstein, the convicted offender who died in jail in 2019.

The disclosures also renewed scrutiny of Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his longstanding association with Epstein.

'Republic', an anti-monarchy campaign group, said that it had instructed lawyers to consider a private prosecution against Andrew over allegations including assault, corruption and misconduct in public office.

Emails show reports allegedly forwarded to Epstein

At the center of the latest controversy was an email exchange dated November 30, 2010, included in the newly released files.

The email chain appeared to show Andrew forwarding Epstein a series of “visit reports” relating to official trips to Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen following a tour of Southeast Asia.

The message originated from Amit Patel, who signed as special adviser to the then-Duke of York, and appeared to have included several attached documents. Records showed that the email was forwarded to Epstein within five minutes of being received.

Trade envoys bound by confidentiality rules

Trade envoys are typically prohibited from sharing sensitive or commercially confidential documents under UK government rules.

Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011.

Andrew was later stripped of his military titles and royal patronages and has since reportedly become estranged from the royal family over his links to Epstein.

Past allegations and royal response

One of Epstein’s most prominent survivors, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, had alleged that Epstein t********d her to powerful men, including Andrew. She filed a lawsuit in 2021, accusing him.

Andrew denied the allegations. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and settled with her in 2022 for an undisclosed sum.

Andrew has also consistently denied wrongdoing related to his relationship with Epstein.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said King Charles III had made clear his concerns over the allegations surrounding his brother.

“While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police, we stand ready to support them as you would expect,” the spokesperson said.

The statement added that the king’s “thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with the victims.”