Epstein housed abuse victims in London Flats despite UK Police warnings – BBC
A BBC investigation has revealed that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein housed women who later accused him of abuse in several flats in London, even after UK police chose not to pursue an investigation into him.
The report uncovered evidence of four properties in the upscale borough of Kensington and Chelsea through receipts, emails, and bank records contained in the so-called Epstein files. At least six women who stayed in those apartments have since come forward as victims.
Many of the women—some from Russia and Eastern Europe—were brought into the UK after the Metropolitan Police declined to investigate a 2015 trafficking allegation made by Virginia Giuffre, who said she had been taken to London as part of an international sex trafficking operation.
The Met maintained it had followed “reasonable lines of inquiry” at the time, including interviewing Giuffre multiple times and cooperating with US authorities.
According to emails reviewed in the files, some of the women were pressured into recruiting others into Epstein’s trafficking network and were frequently transported to Paris via Eurostar to meet him.
By analyzing millions of documents released by the US Department of Justice, the BBC said it had pieced together one of the clearest pictures yet of Epstein’s UK operations, suggesting they were far more extensive than previously understood, involving more victims, organized housing arrangements, and cross-border movement of women.
The investigation also indicated that UK police may have missed several opportunities to open inquiries into Epstein’s activities, including after additional complaints were made.
Human rights lawyer Tessa Gregory expressed shock that no formal investigation had been launched, stating that “where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the UK state… has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation.”
Former UK anti-slavery commissioner Kevin Hyland similarly criticised the lack of action, saying authorities had overlooked clear chances to probe the case.
The files also suggest Epstein maintained close contact with some of the women, financially supported them, and facilitated their travel and accommodation. In some cases, women were allegedly coerced into participating in his network.
The report further highlighted that Epstein used Eurostar services to transport women between the UK and France multiple times up until his arrest in 2019, with travel records indicating frequent cross-border movement.
Despite growing evidence and warnings, UK authorities repeatedly stated over the years that other international agencies were better placed to lead investigations into Epstein.
The findings have renewed calls from victims and legal experts for a full public inquiry into how Epstein’s activities in the UK went largely unchallenged for so long.
Source: BBC
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