Andy Burnham, USA News: Prime Minister Andy Burnham would not comment on reports that detectives are investigating the time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at the King’s private estate in Scotland. Asked about the matter, he told reporters that those are matters for the police and it is not for him to comment on police investigations, which should properly be independent.
Police Scotland stated it had received information and that a probe is at a very early stage into the time Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor spent with the late financier at Balmoral. Pictures previously released by the Department of Justice in the United States appear to show Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein on a shooting trip at the estate.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said they received information and active inquiries are ongoing at a very early stage. All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries, and the force noted they would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries or comment further.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he understands the concern over the allegations relating to a visit to Balmoral by Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein. Speaking on Friday, he stated that he has seen the media reports, understands the seriousness of the points made, and is confident that Police Scotland will fully and comprehensively investigate the operational matter.
Multiple forces, including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, also have live investigations linked to the release of the Epstein files, the National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed. An NPCC spokesperson noted that identifying potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is complex, but UK policing remains committed to a meticulous assessment of the material released by the US Department of Justice, while emphasizing there is not currently a national investigation.
