Report: UK police guarded Epstein dinner party in 2010
Reports have surfaced alleging that UK police officers were instructed to provide security for a dinner party hosted by Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The event was reportedly attended by Prince Andrew. This renewed scrutiny over historic police protection for high-profile figures may trigger fresh debates about public accountability.
- The two protection officers from the Metropolitan Police's Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) command were reportedly given instructions on managing the door at Epstein's New York residence. Emails also confirm the officers were provided with a temporary security code for the property and were allocated rooms on the 4th and 5th floors. - Prince Andrew's visit to New York in December 2010 occurred after Epstein had served a 13-month sentence for procuring a minor for prostitution and was under house arrest for a year. The Prince stated in a later interview that the purpose of the visit was to terminate his friendship with Epstein in person. - The police protection for members of the royal family is provided by the RaSP and funded by the British taxpayer. The total cost of royal security is not publicly disclosed, as a 2024 freedom of information tribunal ruled that revealing the figure could compromise security. - Following Prince Andrew's withdrawal from public duties and the removal of his "His Royal Highness" style, his taxpayer-funded police protection was initially removed but has since been reinstated, though reports suggest it may be removed again. His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have been paying for their own private security since 2011. - The Metropolitan Police are now contacting former protection officers who worked for Prince Andrew, encouraging them to come forward with any allegations of sexual offenses related to Epstein. The force has stated that at this stage, it has not identified any wrongdoing by the protection officers themselves. - This event is part of a broader pattern of scrutiny regarding Prince Andrew's association with Epstein, which he has claimed began in 1999. In February 2026, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to allegations of sharing confidential government documents with Epstein during his time as a UK trade envoy. - The Metropolitan Police's specialist protection units have faced other controversies. A review of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) command was launched following the crimes of officers David Carrick and Wayne Couzens, who both served in that unit. Additionally, the force was heavily criticized for its handling of "Operation Midland," a flawed investigation into false claims of a VIP pedophile ring.
