Key Points
- London police assess airports' trafficking role.
- Epstein files reveal UK private flight concerns.
- Gordon Brown urges Met Police reinvestigation now.
- Essex Police reviews Stansted Airport flights data.
- Multiple UK forces probe Epstein trafficking links.
London (The Londoner News) February 20, 2026 – London's Metropolitan Police announced on Friday that they are assessing whether the city's airports were involved in human trafficking operations connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of millions of documents by the United States Department of Justice.
The statement from the Met Police highlights concerns over private flights potentially used to facilitate trafficking and sexual exploitation, as detailed in the Epstein files made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act late last month. This development comes amid a broader UK police effort, with at least six forces now reviewing information from the disclosures.
What prompted the London police assessment?
This assessment follows similar actions by Essex Police, who on Wednesday confirmed they are examining private flights into and out of London Stansted Airport.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said they 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.”
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown played a pivotal role in prompting these inquiries. In an article for the New Statesman, as cited by multiple outlets, Brown urged the Metropolitan Police to revisit allegations.
He also noted: “The Epstein emails tell us in graphic detail how Epstein was able to use Stansted Airport — he boasted how cheap the airport charges were compared to Paris — to fly in girls from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.”
Which airports are under scrutiny?
London Stansted Airport, located 30 miles northeast of central London, has emerged as a focal point. According to a BBC investigation from last year, 87 flights linked to Epstein arrived at or departed from UK airports between the early 1990s and 2018. The probe uncovered that three British women, reportedly trafficked victims, appeared in Epstein's flight records for UK travel
London Luton Airport is also in focus. Bedfordshire Police announced on Wednesday they are “reviewing materials published as part of the DOJ disclosures Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, specifically regarding private flights to and from London Luton Airport.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police confirmed: “Bedfordshire Police is evaluating materials... in relation to private flights in and out of London Luton Airport.”
Other airports mentioned in prior BBC analysis include Birmingham International, RAF Marham in Norfolk, Edinburgh, Heathrow, and Gatwick, with over 50 flights involving Epstein's private jets primarily to Luton. The BBC reported that Epstein used both private jets and chartered flights for UK trips, often booking transport for others including alleged victims.
Stansted Airport responded in a statement: private flights are not managed by their terminal operations, and Border Force handles immigration and customs checks. According to Border Force rules, all arrivals undergo thorough checks. The US Department of Justice released over three million pages of documents in late January 2026 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. These files, stemming from investigations into Epstein who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, include emails, flight logs, visa records, and financial transactions.
Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted co-conspirator, has denied knowledge of his activities with women and girls at his properties. The Met Police previously investigated trafficking allegations involving Epstein and Maxwell.
A BBC investigation last year found nearly 90 Epstein-linked flights to UK airports, with unidentified "females" among passengers. US lawyers for Epstein victims called it "shocking" that no full-scale UK investigation had occurred.
How are UK police coordinating their response?
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) established a national coordination group to support forces assessing the files.
An NPCC spokesperson stated: “We continue to work collaboratively to assess the details being made public to allow us to understand any potential impact arising from the millions of documents that have been published.”
At least six forces are involved: Essex Police, Metropolitan Police, Bedfordshire Police, Norfolk Constabulary, Valley Police, and Wiltshire Police.
The group ensures consistency, as noted by Inkl: “A national coordination group has been set up to support a small number of forces assessing allegations that have emerged following the publication of the US DoJ Epstein files.”
The NPCC confirmed on Wednesday: a coordination group brings together affected forces. This nationally coordinated effort follows individual force announcements.
What role did Gordon Brown play?
Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister, conducted his own review of the files.
In the New Statesman, he expressed shock: “What I discovered about the abuse of women by male predators and their enablers – and Britain’s as yet unacknowledged role – has shocked me to the core… It demands an in-depth police investigation, and is by far the biggest scandal of all.”
Brown handed a five-page memo to police, including information from the files on Epstein's UK visits.
He urged the Met: “I have urged the Met to urgently reassess their decision-making in their investigation and the subsequent evaluations.”
A second dossier with fresh information was sent, as reported by New Statesman.
The Telegraph noted Brown's memo derives from Epstein files, not his government tenure. Brown highlighted post-2008 conviction flights: 15 of these flights were given the go-ahead after his 2008 conviction. The files have renewed attention on British figures like former Prince Andrew, who has denied wrongdoing and regrets his Epstein friendship. The NPCC is assessing allegations including those against him. No specific requests for comment from Andrew post-files were detailed in reports.
Peter Mandelson is mentioned alongside Epstein in some contexts, but both deny wrongdoing. US documents show Epstein's Middle East ties, but UK focus remains flights.
What previous investigations occurred?
The Met Police probed Epstein-Maxwell trafficking claims previously. A BBC 2025 investigation detailed 87 flights, three British victims in logs. US lawyers decried lack of full UK probe.
Essex Police's current assessment does not yet constitute a full investigation. Met's is "initial inquiries" stage. Police are seeking details from US partners. Assessments may lead to full investigations. Brown's call for comprehensive inquiry underscores urgency.
NPCC coordination aims to identify potential crimes. Forces like Bedfordshire continue reviewing materials. Stansted and Luton flights post-2008 conviction raise questions on oversight. Visa and transport records in files provide trails.
Broader implications for UK aviation security
Private flights bypassing visa needs for some arrivals prompt questions on Border Force efficacy. Epstein boasted of Stansted's low costs.
BBC noted commercial and chartered flights too, expanding scope beyond private jets. Over 50 private flights to Luton highlight patterns. Files show Epstein's Paris-London plans, train to Stansted. References to UK visas abound. Paris police also probing files.
Global trafficking indicated by Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian girls. Brown's article sparked police action. Media like CNN, BBC, Sky News covered extensively. Victims' lawyers push for UK probes. No responses yet from Maxwell or airports beyond statements.