British police on Thursday defended the decision to not fully investigate sex trafficking claims by Prince Andrew’s accuser — something she has blasted as “corruption” in the highest levels of government.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre has long claimed that Jeffrey Epstein made her have sex with the royal three times, including in London in March 2001 when a now notorious photo was taken of them together.
Giuffre claimed on Twitter this week that London police told her they would “forensically examine” Ghislaine Maxwell’s house, where she claimed the sex happened soon after the photo was taken.
“Next thing I hear, just like the FBI, they were not allowed to pursue the investigation,” she wrote Monday, calling it “corruption in the highelevels [sic] of gov.”
London’s Scotland Yard confirmed Thursday that in July 2015 it “received an allegation of non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation” involving convicted pedophile Epstein.
“Officers assessed the available evidence, interviewed the complainant and obtained early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service,” Commander Alex Murray of Specialist Crime said in a statement.
“Following legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities and relationships outside the UK.
“We therefore concluded that the MPS was not the appropriate authority to conduct inquiries in these circumstances and, in November 2016, a decision was made that this matter would not proceed to a full criminal investigation,” he confirmed.
The decision was reviewed in August after Epstein’s death in his Manhattan lockup, the force said.
“Our position remains unchanged,” Murray said Thursday, saying UK police would be open to help other investigations if needed.
“The MPS has liaised with other law enforcement organizations but has not received a formal request asking for assistance in connection with this allegation.”
Giuffre’s claims — and the photo of her with Andrew — proved central in him being axed from royal duties following his disastrous attempts to explain the scandal during a BBC interview.
Andrew has strenuously denied the accusations and insists he has no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre.