Epstein trafficked women ‘through UK airports until month before arrest’ in 2019

Jeffrey Epstein was reportedly trafficking women through UK airports until just a month before his arrest in 2019.

The paedophile financier travelled to and from Britain on his private jet more than 60 times, while he booked commercial flights from or through the country as late as June 2019, according to The Times, which analysed documents released in the Epstein files.

The newspaper reported that six police forces are investigating whether women were trafficked into British commercial airports and RAF bases on Epstein’s private jet. It added that fresh documents reveal Epstein’s jet landed at RAF Northolt as recently as 2015.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown wrote to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used jets, funded by the taxpayer, and RAF bases during his time as trade envoy to meet up with the convicted sex offender. The former prince has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

At least 10 police forces are looking into allegations related to Epstein.

Former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal called the new findings “scandalous”.

He told The Times: “Time and time again when the police have been asked to investigate Epstein in respect of sexual abuse and trafficking, we’ve been told that a review found no need... We’ve seen this week how when the state is the alleged victim that the state can move at pace. When women are the alleged victims, it finds an excuse not to move at all.”

The newspaper said that flights were arranged by associates of Epstein for a Russian woman, whose name has been redacted, who flew from Heathrow to New York on 1 June and returned on 9 June 2019, with Epstein arrested just a month later on 6 July.

It also reported that documents show Epstein’s private jet landed at RAF Northolt two years later than previously thought. A fuel receipt appears to show a plane taking on fuel at the RAF base on 8 May 2015, when previous recordings of flights were only as recent as 2013.

Epstein reportedly took dozens of flights in and out of British airports, mostly London Luton, on his private Boeing 727 before he was incarcerated in 2008, with trips continuing following his release from prison, albeit they were less frequent.

Sir Keir Starmer dodged calls for a public inquiry into Epstein and his possible use of British airports to traffic girls into the country on Wednesday, insisting that any police investigations should take their course first.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the government to release all flight logs and documents regarding the disgraced billionaire.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson were both arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail earlier this month over their alleged links with Epstein.

On Tuesday, ministers agreed to release files related to the appointment of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy in 2001.

The former Duke of York faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.