Essex Police are assessing information relating to private flights into and out of London Stansted Airport following the recent publication of court documents linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The assessment, which began earlier this week, centres on potential human trafficking offences, according to reports.
The renewed scrutiny of Stansted Airport stems from details contained within the files released by a US court, detailing Epstein’s extensive travel history. A BBC investigation last year had already identified 87 flights connected to Epstein that arrived at or departed from UK airports between the early 1990s and 2018. The latest disclosures have prompted calls for a more thorough investigation into his activities within the United Kingdom.
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been particularly vocal, urging police to urgently re-examine whether Epstein’s victims were trafficked both within and outside the UK. In an article published in the New Statesman last week, Brown highlighted that Epstein’s private jet made 90 flights to and from UK airports, including 15 after his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Brown also noted Epstein’s reported preference for Stansted Airport, citing its comparatively lower airport charges as a factor.
According to Brown, Stansted was allegedly used as a transfer point where women were transferred from one Epstein plane to another
. He further pointed out that women arriving on private planes into Britain would not necessarily require British visas, potentially facilitating the movement of victims.
The police assessment is focusing on the details emerging from the US Department of Justice (DoJ) files. An Essex Police spokesperson stated, We are assessing the information that has emerged in relation to private flights into and out of Stansted Airport following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files.
However, the BBC reports that the assessment does not automatically guarantee a full-scale investigation.
Evidence uncovered by the BBC indicates incomplete flight logs, with passengers sometimes listed simply as female
. This lack of detailed passenger information has raised concerns about the extent of Epstein’s activities and the potential involvement of others. In December, BBC News reported that three British women, who are alleged victims of trafficking, appeared in Epstein’s flight records.
US lawyers representing hundreds of Epstein victims have expressed their frustration at the lack of a comprehensive investigation into his UK operations. They described the situation as shocking
, arguing that the scale of potential trafficking would only become clear through a thorough inquiry. Brown echoed this sentiment, stating that a full investigation into the flights would reveal the extent of the trafficking network.
Stansted Airport, located approximately 40 miles (65km) from central London, is a significant hub for private aviation. Private jets are used for transporting smaller groups of people for business or personal travel. The airport’s relatively low charges, as highlighted by Brown, may have made it an attractive destination for Epstein’s flights.
The current police assessment follows a period of increased scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s connections to the UK. The publication of the court documents has reignited public interest in the case and prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability. While the outcome of the assessment remains uncertain, it represents a renewed effort to investigate the potential extent of Epstein’s alleged crimes within the United Kingdom.
, Essex Police confirmed they were reviewing the information. The BBC understands that the assessment is ongoing and its scope and duration are currently undefined.
