From princes to prime ministers: The European elites caught in Epstein’s ever-growing web
Mounting pressure on the Trump administration led to the release of millions of documents linked to the case of the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The files have illuminated Epstein’s vast web of connections to royalty, politicians and public figures from around the world, including those who stayed in touch even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution.
But for all the furore around the New York trafficker’s ties to the upper echelons of American society, it is mainly European figures who have fallen so far.
Britain’s former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and members of the Norwegian royal family continue to face intense scrutiny for their past relationships with Epstein.
Norway and France have launched investigations into senior former politicians, while Latvia, Poland and Lithuania are grappling with the possibility that people were trafficked from their countries.
With Epstein survivors demanding greater transparency over the remaining millions of files, The Independent looks at the high-profile European figures who have been caught up in the scandal to date.
The British royal family and political establishment have been rocked by revelations included in the Epstein files.
The disgraced former prince Andrew was stripped of his title in late October, following the release of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl.
But details of his continued correspondence with Epstein, published between November and January, hastened his departure from the Royal Lodge.
King Charles said on 9 February that the palace was ready to support the police if approached, as police weigh the grounds for an investigation into Andrew for suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is also under pressure to resign over his decision to appoint Labour grandee Peter Mandelson to the role of US ambassador in 2024, despite some knowledge of his historic ties to Epstein.
Starmer said Mandelson gave the impression he “barely knew” Epstein after files showed the pair had spoken for years after the 2008 conviction.
Mandelson said he did not want to “cause further embarrassment” in his decision to resign. The Met Police have since launched an investigation into “alleged misconduct in public office”.
Lord Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regrets maintaining the relationship.
