In contrast with the takedowns of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson, US consequences have been limited to resignations and apologies
W
eeks after justice department officials released more than 3m investigative documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, there have not been any arrests in the US, prompting questions about whether any potential co-conspirators will be held accountable on American soil.
Indeed, consequences in the US for the sex trafficker’s associates have largely been limited to a handful of sombre resignations and public apologies of late – not high-level criminal prosecutions that victims and advocates have long demanded.
This lack of arrests contrasts sharply with authorities’ handling of Epstein associates in the UK. The former royal prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as was ex-Washington ambassador Peter Mandelson days later. Neither man was arrested on suspicion of Epstein-related sexual misconduct, and Mountbatten-Windsor has adamantly denied such claims in prior statements.
