Epstein survivors lack faith in UK police investigating Andrew, says lawyer

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Epstein survivors lack faith in UK police investigating Andrew, says lawyer1 hour ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleChi Chi Izundu ,Investigations correspondentandOlivia DaviesReutersWomen who say they have information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor do not have enough faith in British police to speak to them, an American lawyer representing hundreds of Jeffrey Epstein victims has told the . Brad Edwards said he had "multiple clients" who could speak about the former prince but do not believe they would receive proper treatment in the UK, and fear speaking out would result in press intrusion. Among his clients are a woman who has alleged she was sent to the UK for a sexual encounter with the former prince.

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. The National Police Chiefs' Council said people who come forward will be "treated with care, compassion and respect". Edwards told News: "Our multiple clients, plural, with information about will not speak with authorities in the UK for two reasons.

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"First, the authorities did not care to do anything when Epstein was alive, so their confidence is low. "Second, and most important, the harassment by the British press has dissuaded them from ever cooperating with UK authorities or speaking with the British press. "Edwards represents a woman who has made an allegation against Mountbatten-Windsor about an encounter at the former prince's home Royal Lodge in 2010, before he had invited her to Buckingham Palace for tea.

Thames Valley Police confirmed in February they would assess that claim. She is the second woman to allege she was abused in the UK, following Virginia Giuffre. Edwards said that "more than one client" had initially been willing to cooperate with British police in relation to that allegation, but were dissuaded when UK-based journalists began investigating the woman, as well as her family.

Edwards said "other victims took notice" of the fact that speaking out had resulted in the woman's privacy being threatened. Thames Valley Police said it had engaged with the woman's legal team but her lawyer had said she would not communicate with police over fears regarding her privacy. Edwards confirmed Thames Valley Police had been in contact with him.

Last week, the force said it could investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against the former prince as part of its ongoing inquiry into alleged misconduct in public office, which began when documents released in the US suggested he had passed sensitive information to Epstein while working as a trade envoy for the British government. News has also spoken Sigrid McCawley, another US lawyer who is representing Epstein survivors who may have been trafficked to the UK by Epstein. She told News that since the US Department of Justice released the Epstein files in January, she does not believe she has received any form of communication from the Metropolitan Police.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.