Evidence of four flats rented in Kensington and Chelsea was found in receipts, emails, and bank records within the Epstein files. Six women housed in those flats have since come forward as victims of Epstein's abuse. Many were brought to the UK after the Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate Virginia Giuffre's 2015 allegation of international trafficking to London.
The Met Police said it followed 'reasonable lines of inquiry' at the time. However, British police had other opportunities to open an inquiry. By early 2020, a second woman had complained to the Met that she had been abused by Epstein in the UK. It is not clear whether that complaint was acted on. British authorities knew in 2020 that Epstein had rented at least one of the flats identified by the BBC.
We recognise our duties within Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and are confident these were fulfilled.
Some women housed in the London flats were coerced by Epstein to recruit others and were regularly transported to Paris by Eurostar. The operation grew more extensive than previously known, with more victims and established infrastructure. Human rights lawyer Tessa Gregory said she was 'staggered' no UK police investigation had ever been launched. The Met said it recognised its duties under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and was confident these were fulfilled.
Epstein has been linked to a property in Kensington after a dossier on 'suspicious payments' was reportedly put together by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and shared with the FBI. At least ten police forces are assessing allegations of Epstein's links to the UK. The NCA had identified payments from accounts controlled by Epstein or his companies.
I was staggered no UK police investigation had ever been launched.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed Epstein may have trafficked victims in English-language schools to obtain US visas. Defence Secretary John Healey ordered a review of military files for any evidence that Epstein used RAF bases to traffic girls into the UK.
Where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the UK state, even if no victims come forward, has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation.