Prince Andrew Arrested Over Alleged Use of Public Funds for Epstein Trips

Updated 2026-02-23 17:33:20+00:00 (4 articles)

Arrest and New Travel‑Funding Allegations On 23 February 2026, Prince Andrew was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office, accused of using taxpayer‑funded resources to travel to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein [1]. Former prime minister Gordon Brown sent letters to six police forces alleging the prince employed chartered Royal Air Force jets for personal trips to Epstein’s residences [1]. The arrest follows a massive 3.5‑million‑document DOJ release that intensifies scrutiny of how public money may have facilitated those visits [1].

Multiple Police Forces Open Inquiries At least seven UK police forces, including Thames Valley, Essex, Bedfordshire, West Midlands, and the Metropolitan Police, have launched separate investigations into airport links, possible breach of official secrets, and misconduct in public office [1][2]. Thames Valley is specifically assessing whether the prince violated official‑secrets rules, while the Met has opened “initial enquiries” into former Royalty and Specialist Protection officers who may have assisted the trips [2]. These coordinated probes reflect a nationwide effort to determine whether public assets were misused for illicit travel [1][2].

US DOJ Documents Reveal Security and Sensitive Data Recently released DOJ emails show Metropolitan Police officers were instructed to provide security for a December 2010 dinner at Epstein’s New York townhouse, including deployment of two protection officers [1]. The same document dump indicates Andrew forwarded sensitive government and commercial information to Epstein and that compromising photographs of the prince were among the files [2]. These revelations have fueled public outrage and raised questions about the extent of official knowledge of the prince’s activities [1][2].

Political Response Emphasizes Legal Equality Prime Minister Keir Starmer told BBC Breakfast that “everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law,” stressing that any decision about the prince’s interview is for the police [2]. Starmer also called for anyone with relevant information to testify, echoing calls from U.S. officials and Virginia Giuffre’s family after her 2021 civil suit settled for an estimated £12 million in February 2022 [2]. Former senior Met protection officers and a former U.S. secretary of state have publicly criticized the handling of the case, demanding faster release of the files [2].

Metropolitan Police Finds No Misconduct Yet Despite the breadth of investigations, the Metropolitan Police announced it has not identified any wrongdoing by its officers and has not filed new criminal charges [1]. The force is contacting former and serving staff for comments while continuing to assess information about possible airport use for trafficking [1]. This provisional finding contrasts with the ongoing inquiries by other forces and the political pressure for accountability [2].

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Timeline

2009 – Sarah Ferguson, former Duchess of York, contacts Jeffrey Epstein, calling him “the brother I have always wished for” and asks for £20,000 rent assistance and four apartments, indicating early personal ties between the royal family and the convicted sex offender [3].

July 2010 – Jeffrey Epstein emails Prince Andrew about “non‑stop all‑day meetings” and “$20 billion… hungry for deals,” while Andrew replies discussing potential purchases up to £3 billion in China, the Gulf and Libya, showing ongoing business discussions despite later public denials [3].

December 2010 – Prince Andrew emails Epstein after a New York trip, writing “It was great to spend time with my US family. Looking forward to joining you all again soon,” contradicting later claims that the trip ended their relationship; the same month, Metropolitan Police officers receive DOJ instructions to provide security for a dinner at Epstein’s New York townhouse [3][4].

February 2011 – Prince Andrew sends an email to Epstein stating “This week is all about me,” thanking him for help with a problem for his ex‑wife Sarah and announcing an “annual retreat for the next eight days,” revealing a self‑congratulatory tone and continued contact [3].

February 2020 – The U.S. Department of Justice emails Andrew’s lawyers asking whether he will agree to be interviewed, indicating persistent U.S. investigative pressure on his knowledge of Epstein’s activities [3].

2021 – Virginia Giuffre files a U.S. civil suit alleging she was trafficked to London in 2001 for sex with Prince Andrew, adding to the growing list of accusations against the former duke [1].

February 2022 – The Giuffre lawsuit settles for an estimated £12 million, shortly before her death, and the settlement fuels calls for further accountability and testimony from Prince Andrew [1].

2025 – A BBC investigation uncovers that Epstein trafficked multiple women into the United Kingdom using commercial flights and private jets, expanding the scope of alleged abuse linked to the prince’s circle [2].

October 2025 – King Charles formally strips Prince Andrew of his “style, title and honours” following the publication of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, a royal censure that Andrew later claims leaves him without assets to compensate victims [2].

January 31, 2026 – A new survivor, a woman in her 20s, alleges that Epstein trafficked her to the UK for a 2010 sexual encounter at Royal Lodge, describing a night with the prince followed by a Buckingham Palace tour and tea, marking the first claim of a sexual encounter inside a royal residence [2].

January 31, 2026 – Newly released emails show Prince Andrew boasting to Epstein in 2011, discussing personal retreats and thanking him for assistance with his ex‑wife’s unpaid wages, directly contradicting his public statements that he cut off contact in 2010 [3].

February 19, 2026 – Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells BBC Breakfast that “everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law,” emphasizes that any police interview of Prince Andrew is a matter for the police, and notes multiple forces opening inquiries into possible misconduct and breach of official secrets [1].

February 23, 2026 – Police arrest Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office, while former Prime Minister Gordon Brown sends letters to six police forces urging probes into alleged use of chartered RAF jets for personal trips to Epstein, calling the practice “wholly unacceptable” [4].