Met Police Silences Former Royal Protection Officer Amidst Epstein Inquiry
A former royal protection officer, Paul Page, alleges he’s been warned by the Metropolitan Police to remain silent regarding Prince Andrew’s guests at Buckingham Palace. The warning came after Page publicly stated that police were not permitted to record the names of Andrew’s female visitors in official logs.
The Warning Letter and Its Implications
Page received a letter from Jon Savell, a deputy assistant commissioner within the Met’s security and protection command. The letter, bearing the counterterrorism policing logo, reminded Page of his obligations regarding “confidentiality and respect for the privacy of those who are protected.” Page interpreted this as an attempt to stifle his public statements, stating, “It’s trying to say, in the nicest possible terms, ‘can you shut up?’”
Long-Standing Allegations of Security Breaches
Page, who served as a royal protection officer from 1998 to 2004, has been voicing concerns about Prince Andrew’s conduct for nearly two decades, beginning in 2008 when he faced charges related to a £3 million investment scam. He has alleged a culture of gambling and misconduct within the royal protection squad during his tenure.
His claims center around allegations of security breaches at Buckingham Palace between 1997 and 2003, specifically concerning women who visited Andrew’s private apartment. Page claims these women often bypassed standard security protocols, and that officers were sometimes tasked with driving them home.
Ghislaine Maxwell and the Epstein Connection
Page has publicly identified Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes, as one of the individuals he observed visiting Prince Andrew. He alleges that women would visit at all hours without proper vetting.
Metropolitan Police Response and Past Investigations
The Metropolitan Police has consistently refrained from fully investigating Page’s claims, previously citing his fraud conviction as grounds for questioning his reliability. Prosecutors previously attempted to suppress parts of Page’s defense statement during his fraud trial, but The Times successfully fought for the right to report the allegations in 2008.
Recent inquiries have also focused on whether Andrew’s protection team accompanied him on visits to Little Saint James, Epstein’s private island. The Epstein files revealed that two officers stayed at Epstein’s New York mansion in 2010, despite his prior conviction for child sex offenses.
Current Status of Inquiries
The Met recently stated it would take no further action regarding allegations that Andrew requested an officer to seek information on Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Andrew denies all wrongdoing and claims he does not remember meeting Giuffre. He paid a £12 million settlement to Giuffre in 2022 without admitting liability.
FAQ
Q: What is Paul Page alleging?
A: Page alleges that Prince Andrew frequently had female guests visit his private apartment at Buckingham Palace without undergoing proper security vetting, and that police were instructed not to record their names.
Q: What was the Met Police’s response to Page’s claims?
A: The Met Police sent Page a warning letter reminding him of his confidentiality obligations and cautioned against undermining the trustworthiness of royal protection officers.
Q: Has the Met Police investigated these claims thoroughly?
A: The Met Police has not fully investigated Page’s claims, citing concerns about his credibility due to his prior fraud conviction.
Q: What is the connection to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell?
A: Page has identified Ghislaine Maxwell as one of the women he observed visiting Prince Andrew, and the allegations relate to a period when Epstein was also engaging in criminal activity.
Did you know? The Times successfully fought a legal battle in 2008 to ensure the public had the right to know about the allegations made by Paul Page regarding security breaches at Buckingham Palace.
Pro Tip: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of royal protection officers is crucial to grasping the significance of these allegations. Their primary duty is to ensure the safety and security of the royal family, and any deviation from protocol raises serious concerns.
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