Palace protected Andrew over trade envoy emails, says Epstein survivor

A survivor of Jeffrey Epstein has accused Buckingham Palace of covering up the actions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after it received emails which would have shown he shared confidential government information as trade envoy.

Jess Michaels said the palace’s failure to act had wider moral consequences for the victims involved in the scandal surrounding the paedophile and former prince.

She told The Telegraph that by “protecting” Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, the palace had failed his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

“This is what institutions do. They protect powerful men and leave the people they harmed to carry it,” said Ms Michaels, who said she was raped by Epstein in 1991.

“Six years ago, the palace knew Andrew wasn’t just a problem; he could face a criminal investigation. And they sat on it.

“Protecting him meant doubting her. Virginia Roberts Giuffre was telling the truth, and she didn’t live to see them admit it. That breaks my heart and it should break everyone’s.”

Ms Giuffre, who died last year, alleged that she was trafficked to the former prince and made to have sex with him on three separate occasions. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has vehemently denied the claims.

The Independent reported on Saturday that an archive of 30,000 emails, taken from a personal business contact of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, was handed over to Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer in the Royal Household, in May 2020.

Court documents suggest those emails would have shown that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was sharing confidential government information while serving as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The former Duke of York was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in a public office following allegations that he passed sensitive government information to Epstein.

It was revealed last week that Thames Valley Police is also investigating Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for allegations of sexual misconduct in their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office.

Ms Michaels told the newspaper: “I’m glad the UK is finally investigating.

“A little late, but it’s the very least they could do. Meanwhile, our own government named us as victims, shields the men who harmed us and still treats us like the problem.”

In response to claims surrounding the emails received by Buckingham Palace in 2020, a spokesperson said: “Since there is an ongoing police enquiry concerning Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, it is not possible to provide any comment on these matters.”

The palace declined to comment on the claims made by Ms Michaels.

The Independent has contacted Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.