Police to review allegations against Epstein in London TV news investigation

The British Metropolitan Police will conduct a review of allegations against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell following the release of an investigation conducted by British outlet Channel 4 News on Tuesday.

For its investigation, Channel 4 spoke to various women who allege they were victims of abuse by Epstein in the United Kingdom, with the allegations spanning more than a decade. The outlet compiled witness accounts, interviews and public information.

Despite some of the claims against Epstein being publicly known, and the fact that police were directly approached by at least one victim, authorities did not carry out a full investigation into the allegations, Channel 4 noted.

In 2015, the Metropolitan Police reportedly declined to open a full investigation into a 2001 incident that involved Epstein, Maxwell and Prince Andrew of England, despite evidence that suggested the exploitation of young women. This decision was later affirmed in 2019.

“From what I’ve seen, there is clearly enough evidence for the police to investigate more thoroughly than they have done up to now,” former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England Nazir Afzal told Channel 4.

“It’s concerning, because we’ve got potentially victims here. And maybe other victims or alleged victims, who may if an investigation follows its course, be identified,” Afzal added.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told Channel 4 that the agency would review the allegations highlighted in the investigation.

“The MPS always takes allegations of sexual offences and exploitation seriously,” a statement from the spokesperson read. 

“The MPS is clear that it will investigate allegations where there is sufficient evidence of an offence having taken place, where it is the appropriate authority to do so and where those against whom the allegation are made are alive,” the statement continued. “We will always consider any new information and will review the information sent to us from Channel 4.”

In 2019, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in New York from an apparent suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, who is accused of facilitating Epstein’s abuse, was arrested in 2020 and imprisoned pending her trial. Bail has been denied for Maxwell multiple times, as a judge stated she is a flight risk skilled in hiding.

In April, Maxwell pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges.