King Charles stands ready to support British police as they assess a report that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly shared confidential material with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the former prince’s role as UK trade envoy.
The latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department, which have sparked renewed scrutiny of the disgraced royal, appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor sent confidential material to Epstein in 2010.
Graham Smith, the chief executive of British anti-monarchist group Republic, said Monday he had reported Mountbatten-Windsor to police for “suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets.”
On Monday, Thames Valley Police told CNN, “We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” a spokesperson for the police force said.
Later Monday, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said King Charles had “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.”
“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.
Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any wrongdoing over his ties to Epstein. He has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. CNN has contacted him for comment.
British government in crisis
The former prince is among several prominent figures in British public life to have faced growing backlash in recent days over ties to Epstein. Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, quit the UK’s House of Lords last week after the latest files appeared to show he leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
British police raided two properties linked to Mandelson on Friday as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office. CNN has been unable to contact Mandelson’s representative. Mandelson has previously said he was “wrong to believe (Epstein) following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards.”
Mountbatten-Windsor became trade envoy in 2001 but stepped down a decade later after coming under fire over his association with Epstein. The former prince said at the time his position was “no longer necessary to the work that I do today and, more importantly, in the future.”
In October 2010, Epstein emailed the royal asking for details about an upcoming trip to Asia, according to DOJ files. In response, Mountbatten-Windsor sent Epstein a brief itinerary setting out his travel plans for various destinations, including Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Then, after the trip concluded, Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded “visit reports” to Epstein, initially sent to the former prince by his then-special adviser Amit Patel. The overseas visit is listed in a financial report published by the royal family.
The latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department, which have sparked renewed scrutiny of the disgraced royal, appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor sent confidential material to Epstein in 2010.
Graham Smith, the chief executive of British anti-monarchist group Republic, said Monday he had reported Mountbatten-Windsor to police for “suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets.”
On Monday, Thames Valley Police told CNN, “We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” a spokesperson for the police force said.
Later Monday, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said King Charles had “made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.”
“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.
Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any wrongdoing over his ties to Epstein. He has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. CNN has contacted him for comment.
British government in crisis
The former prince is among several prominent figures in British public life to have faced growing backlash in recent days over ties to Epstein. Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, quit the UK’s House of Lords last week after the latest files appeared to show he leaked market-sensitive government information to Epstein in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
British police raided two properties linked to Mandelson on Friday as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office. CNN has been unable to contact Mandelson’s representative. Mandelson has previously said he was “wrong to believe (Epstein) following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards.”
Mountbatten-Windsor became trade envoy in 2001 but stepped down a decade later after coming under fire over his association with Epstein. The former prince said at the time his position was “no longer necessary to the work that I do today and, more importantly, in the future.”
In October 2010, Epstein emailed the royal asking for details about an upcoming trip to Asia, according to DOJ files. In response, Mountbatten-Windsor sent Epstein a brief itinerary setting out his travel plans for various destinations, including Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Then, after the trip concluded, Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded “visit reports” to Epstein, initially sent to the former prince by his then-special adviser Amit Patel. The overseas visit is listed in a financial report published by the royal family.
