ROYAL TO FACE BRITISH POLICE UK must run own quiz into Andy link to Maxwell
Fury over Met failure to grill Prince
sex trafficking charges, meaning many victims were denied justice.
Top human rights lawyer Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said: “The public interest stakes are very high in looking into this. It’s a very serious allegation and there is no reason why the police shouldn’t investigate it.
“If a crime is committed in your jurisdiction and the complainer wants you to investigate it, the fact that other allegations related to other jurisdictions is not a reason not to do
so.” Her views were echoed by Olivia Coffey, specialist child abuse solicitor with national law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp. She said: “The Metropolitan Police appear to be simply leaving the criminal investigations up to the authorities in the US – rather than investigating what allegedly happened here and ultimately holding anyone who committed criminal offences to account. Trafficking is an international issue that spans jurisdictions and you would therefore expect investigations to take place in the UK as well as the US and anywhere else where crimes were allegedly carried out.
“Following Epstein’s death it will be more important than ever that Maxwell’s role is thoroughly investigated – here and in the US.
“You’d hope Prince Andrew would fully cooperate and provide the police with as much information as he can.” It is understood the complaint to the Metropolitan Police in 2016 did not include any criminal allegations against Prince Andrew.
A source close to the Prince last night maintained he had agreed to cooperate fully with US authorities.
The insider said: “The Duke of York’s team are completely bewildered as to why the US authorities maintain they still need to speak to him.
“There have been several offers to cooperate with them throughout the year, to which there has been no response. The view is this is complete theatre on their part. Andrew has said he is innocent of any wrongdoing and nothing has changed.”
Metropolitan Police Commander Alex Murray said the force had no plans to investigate the claims from 2016 in light of this week’s developments. He said: “Our position remains unchanged.”
Both the CPS and a spokesperson for the Duke declined to comment.
With Weinstein and Epstein at Bea party