Andy Burnham would not comment on reports that detectives are investigating the time Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell spent at the King’s private estate in Scotland.
Asked about the matter, the Prime Minister told reporters: “Well, those are matters for the police, and it’s not for me to comment on police investigations, which should properly be independent.”
Police Scotland said it had received “information” and a probe is at a “very early stage” into the time Mr Mountbatten-Windsor spent with the late paedophile financier at Balmoral.
Pictures previously released by the Department of Justice in the US appear to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein on a shooting trip at Balmoral.
A Police Scotland spokesman told GB News: “We have received information and active inquiries are ongoing, but these are at a very early stage.
“All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries.
“We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he “understands” the concern over the allegations relating to a visit to Balmoral by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein.
Speaking on Friday, he said: “I’ve seen the media report on the allegations that have been made and I understand the seriousness of the points that have been made and the concern that has been expressed.
“This is an operational matter for Police Scotland to fully and comprehensively investigate and I’m very confident that’s exactly what Police Scotland will do.”
Multiple forces, including Thames Valley Police, the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police, also have live investigations linked to the release of the Epstein files, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) confirmed.
An NPCC spokesperson said: “Identifying any further potential offending, suspects, victims or witnesses is a complex process and will take time, but UK policing remains committed to carrying out a meticulous assessment of the material released by the US Department of Justice.”
There is not currently a national investigation, the NPCC said.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
The King’s brother was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation.
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He has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing, with the police probe ongoing.
In February, Police Scotland said it was “keen to speak to anyone with information” about a 2006 flight into Edinburgh Airport when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Maxwell were on board Epstein’s “Lolita Express” private jet.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles after the Epstein Files scandal last year and later evicted from his home at Royal Lodge.
GB News has contacted Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.
Buckingham Palace is not commenting, with GB News understanding the ongoing police investigation to be the reason.
Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police acknowledged that the search warrants used to raid Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in February were unlawful.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor had challenged the warrants, and now documents from the ensuing High Court proceedings revealed the force feared evidence could be lost if they had to seek permission from Buckingham Palace first to search the premises.
Mr Justice Hilliard said on October 8 that while the King’s younger brother and Thames Valley Police have reached an “agreement” that the warrants were unlawful, police have since launched a bid to retain evidence gathered during the searches in February.
He said Mr Mountbatten-Windsor opposes the bid to retain the evidence, with a hearing in the case to be held in private in 2027. The former Prince will therefore remain in limbo for several more months.
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