UK Police Expand Epstein Investigation, Focusing on Flights and Political Connections

London – British police have broadened their investigation into the ties between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and prominent figures in the United Kingdom, acknowledging for the first time they are evaluating allegations that Epstein used dozens of private flights to UK airports to facilitate trafficking. The investigation follows the release of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) Epstein files and statements from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who highlighted Epstein’s use of Stansted Airport in Essex for transporting women.

Epstein’s Use of Stansted Airport

According to Brown, Epstein “bragged” about the lower costs of Stansted Airport compared to Paris, utilizing the airport to transfer women from Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia. He alleged that women were transferred between Epstein’s planes without requiring British visas, with flight records often containing only the notation “female.” Source: BBC News

Police Investigations and Focus Areas

Essex Police confirmed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that they are assessing information related to private flights arriving and departing from Stansted Airport following the publication of the US DoJ files. Source: BBC News Four British police forces are involved in assessing the allegations to determine if full criminal investigations are warranted, including Thames Valley and Surrey Police.

Political Figures Under Scrutiny

The investigations are focusing on the alleged connections between Epstein and several political figures. Former Prince Andrew, accused of exploiting his position as a trade ambassador to provide information to Epstein and of involvement in trafficking women to Britain, is a key focus. Andrew has denied all allegations against him. Source: BBC News

Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, is also under investigation for allegedly passing market-sensitive government information to Epstein following the 2008 financial crisis. Police are searching two properties linked to Mandelson as part of this inquiry. Source: CNN Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords in early February 2026. Source: CNN

Bedfordshire Police are evaluating allegations concerning the use of Luton Airport by flights linked to Epstein. Source: BBC News

Broader Implications and International Concerns

Thames Valley Police are consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the allegations. A BBC investigation previously revealed that 87 flights linked to Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports between the early 1990s, and 2018. Source: BBC News

The US Department of Justice has released 3.5 million pages of documents related to Epstein, which independent UN experts have described as indicating the existence of a “global criminal network.” Some actions within this network may amount to crimes against humanity due to the systematic and cross-border nature of the violations against women and girls. Source: BBC News

Lawyers representing victims, including Virginia Giuffre, have called for arrangements to allow Prince Andrew to testify in the United States regarding Epstein’s crimes. Source: BBC News