Cops probing claims 'Epstein victim came to UK for sex with Andrew'

Police are 'assessing' allegations that a second woman was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The woman, who was in her 20s and is not British, claims she spent a night with the former Prince at his Royal Lodge home in 2010 on Epstein's request. 

The unnamed woman says she was taken to Buckingham Palace for tea afterwards.

The allegation, which was made last week, marks the first time an Epstein survivor claims they were sexually abused at a royal residence. Virginia Giuffre, another victim of the paedophile financier, alleged she had sex with Andrew in the UK when she was 17 years old. 

Thames Valley Police have since confirmed they are 'assessing' the allegation after being made aware of several reports. 

In a statement, the force said: 'We are aware of reports about a woman said to have been taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes.

'We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.

'We take any reports of sexual crimes extremely seriously and encourage anyone with information to come forward.

'At this time, these allegations have not been reported to Thames Valley Police by either the lawyer or their client.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Andrew for comment about the claims. He has previously denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.  

The woman's US lawyer, Brad Edwards, previously told the Daily Mail: 'She was severely exploited by Jeffrey Epstein. An extension of that was the exploitation of her by Prince Andrew.

'She's a strong person. She wants to believe in justice but it's very difficult in light of what she knows.

'We need some cooperation and we need somebody with a conscience and a real desire to make things right.'

Mr Edwards previously sued Andrew on behalf of Ms Giuffre, who alleged she had sex with the former Duke of York in London, New York and on Epstein's Caribbean island.

The now ex-prince settled for a reported £12million before the case went to trial but without admitting liability. He has vehemently denied the allegations.

Andrew's relationship with Epstein has been thrown under the spotlight once more after over three million documents linked to the paedophile financier were published by the US Department of Justice on Friday.

The King's brother features a number of times in the documents, including images apparently showing him crouch over an unidentified woman in what appears to be Epstein's New York mansion.

The former prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson appear in email exchanges with Epstein, with Andrew appearing to invite him to Buckingham Palace, and Sarah apparently saying: 'I am at your service. Just marry me.'

Epstein also appears to introduce Andrew to a woman described by the paedophile as '26, Russian, clevere (sic) beautiful, trustworthy'. 

The Daily Mail previously revealed that the woman is a model born in the far north of Russia who moved to North America, where she married and became a mother. 

She had asked Epstein: 'If I go to London [on my way back from Russia] sometime between August 27 and Sept 5 do you think somebody will be there and what are the best dates?'

Epstein told her to go slightly earlier, and she confirmed she had booked flights for a trip between August 20 and August 25. 

On August 22, she confirmed she was in Britain, explaining to Epstein that she lost her phone in the Bahamas but 'I will get a UK phone, will write you the number'.

Epstein responded: 'But are you having fun?' 

On August 25, she wrote to Epstein: 'Thank you again for everything, my trip has been a really special adventure!'

It is not clear whether the woman and Andrew actually met. There is also no suggestion this is the same woman related to the allegation outlined by Mr Edwards.