LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
UK Police Forces Assess Claims Jeffrey Epstein Used Stansted Airport Flights in Trafficking Network
British law enforcement units, supported by a national coordination group, are evaluating allegations that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein trafficked women via private flights into the United Kingdom, including through Stansted Airport.
18 February 2026 · 23:25 UTC

Essex Police confirmed it is examining material concerning private flights into and out of London Stansted Airport after disclosures in the latest tranche of documents suggested that Epstein’s private jet, frequently dubbed the “Lolita Express,” landed at Stansted and other UK airports as many as ninety times between the 1990s and 2018, with some flights occurring after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
A national coordination group established by the National Police Chiefs’ Council is supporting several forces — including the Metropolitan Police, Surrey, Thames Valley, Norfolk and Bedfordshire — in their assessments, which span allegations from possible trafficking to claims connected with individuals associated with Epstein.
Thames Valley Police are examining claims relating to the former Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, including whether a woman was trafficked to the United Kingdom in 2010 and whether he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as a trade envoy.
Other forces are reviewing flight logs and records to determine the extent to which private jets linked to Epstein may have transported women into the United Kingdom.
Stansted Airport has stated that all private aircraft movements are handled by independent operators and subject to border checks, but police assessments are focused on the content of the newly released documents rather than aviation operations.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged deeper police scrutiny of the evidence from the files, saying the revelations — including claims that women were transferred between Epstein’s aircraft at Stansted — demand thorough investigation.
Those with information relevant to the enquiries have been encouraged to come forward as the assessments continue across multiple jurisdictions.