Met Police Officers Assigned to Protect at Epstein's New York Residence
Metropolitan Police officers were directed to provide security for a dinner event at Jeffrey Epstein's New York residence attended by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, according to emails disclosed by the US Department of Justice.
The Metropolitan Police has stated that it has not found any misconduct by its protection officers "at this time." On Friday, the force announced it is "identifying and contacting" both former and current officers who might possess relevant information.
As a senior working member of the Royal Family during that period, the then Prince Andrew would have been accompanied by close protection officers as part of his security detail.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement to the BBC, the Metropolitan Police emphasized that protection officers are held to the same high standards of professional conduct as all police officers.
"They know their actions will be open to scrutiny."
The force also noted that it does not comment on security arrangements for individuals under protection.
Emails Detail Security Arrangements for Andrew’s Stay
Emails released within the Epstein files appear to document arrangements for Andrew to stay with Epstein in December 2010.
Within the correspondence, Andrew's private secretary inquired about the address where he would be staying and sought "confirmation on whether there is room for both his protection officers at the house."
Internal emails exchanged among Epstein's staff confirm that there was "room for both Andrew's bodyguards… one on the 4th floor and one on the 5th floor."
The emails imply that Andrew and his Metropolitan Police close protection officers were provided a temporary security code to "get in and out" of Epstein's New York property.
In a message dated 1 December 2010, the evening prior to Epstein hosting a dinner party, an unidentified staff member wrote to Epstein:
"The Duke's 2 protection officers along with the state security will all be here for tomorrow's dinner party. Rich has given them instruction on the door."
In an earlier statement to the BBC, the Metropolitan Police did not confirm whether the officers stayed at Epstein's home, as suggested by the emails, nor whether they were issued a security code to enter and exit as needed.
Government Oversight of Royal Travel
The government's Royal Visits Committee (RVC) is responsible for reviewing plans related to official travel by working members of the Royal Family.
The committee comprises senior representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Royal Household, No10 Downing Street, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Cabinet Office.
The BBC approached the FCDO to inquire whether the department was aware of various trips made by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein's properties.
A government spokesperson stated that it reviewed plans for official travel undertaken in 2008 and 2009 by the then Duke of York.
"The RVC is not involved in private travel undertaken by working Members of the Royal Family, or any travel by non-working Members."
Recent Developments Regarding Andrew
Andrew was arrested on Thursday last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released under investigation approximately 11 hours later.
Searches at his former Windsor residence, Royal Lodge, are ongoing.
