Epstein files ignite UK-wide probes as police hunt potential victims and offenders

A senior anti-corruption officer reviewing the Epstein files has vowed to be "relentless in the pursuit of truth and justice". 

Detective Superintendent Simon Hurst, Head of Greater Manchester Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit, is overseeing a national review of documents that sparked a wave of criminal investigations across the UK. Det Supt Hurst was assigned PIP4 status for the review - granting him the authority to focus on "the strategic management of the highly complex, high-profile, or major crime investigations". 

He is working with a new national specialist team established to identify UK violence against women as revealed in the released files on the US child trafficker. Additionally, he is focused on other potential crimes that may emerge from the documents made public by the US Department of Justice last month.

Now, writing on LinkedIn, St Supt Hurst said: "It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to help coordinate such important work. I promise that I, and all those that work with me, will be relentless in the pursuit of truth and justice."

The pedophile financier Epstein had links to the UK through the former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 66. He was also linked to Labour grandee Peter Mandelson, 72, and is believed to have visited Buckingham Palace. Mandelson and Andrew have denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Epstein died in prison in 2019 at the age of 66 after being found hanged in his cell while awaiting trial for child trafficking offenses.

Around a dozen police forces in the UK have already confirmed they are looking into any potential crimes committed in their areas linked to Epstein. The national group set up in February to support police forces with their investigations confirmed last week it had created a separate strand to focus solely on violence against women and girls allegations.

They have already approached potential victims to share their accounts, including women who have previously spoken to BBC Newsnight and Good Morning Britain. The group is chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell, deputy director at the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP).

It will prioritize identifying the scale, scope, and nature of any potential UK-based offending within the files, and "establishing a nationally coordinated and consistent approach to gathering and assessing intelligence". Assistant Chief Constable Bell said last week: "Policing operates locally but must remain nationally coherent, which is why the coordination groups have been established to ensure we are joining the dots as the public would expect.

"Working with the NCA (National Crime Agency), we are reviewing and assessing the published files. We have also reached out to survivors who have shared their experiences with the media to invite them to speak to UK authorities should they feel comfortable doing so. Police forces may receive direct contact from potential victims and survivors reporting matters that are not contained in the Epstein files released. Officers will listen with care to anyone who takes the courageous step of contacting us."

She said police would be "meticulous" in their assessment of the files, which include more than 3 million documents and pictures released in tranches by the US. She said: "The volume of material is significant, and the detailed assessment of the files will take time, which I fully appreciate can be both frustrating and traumatic for anyone impacted.

"But it is crucial that we get this right – taking a methodical and coordinated approach to safeguard the integrity of any potential investigations. Our priority throughout will remain the safety, well-being, and confidence of victims."

The VAWG coordination group will work alongside the NCA and the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX), and draw upon the expertise of colleagues from Hydrant, the CSE (child sexual exploitation) Taskforce and Operation Beaconport. Ass Chief Const Bell added: "No single crime takes priority over another, and the establishment of this second group, and investment in additional intelligence resources reflects the increasing complexity and sensitivity of these matters.

"Running in tandem, the groups will enable us to consider any and all potential offending and reaffirm our commitment to victims and survivors of abuse. We remain focused on protecting people and maintaining public confidence."

US lawmakers have repeatedly called for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions about his links to Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links. Pressure is also mounting on Ms Ferguson to testify in the US over her apparent friendship with Epstein, although there has been no formal request for her to do so.

Files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed she remained in contact with the disgraced financier, including just 17 days before his release from a Florida jail for soliciting sex with minors. Last month both Mr Mandelson and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor were separately arrested by police in connection with passing information to Epstein. They were both released under investigation.