Andrew probe into Epstein links so big it has its own codename as new pic of ‘him with young woman on lap’ is released
THE Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor police investigation has expanded so much that it now has its own codename — Operation Ironville.
The term is used by cops for all intelligence gathered during the probe of the former prince over suspicions of slipping state secrets to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
It comes as a new photo of a man resembling the former Duke of York with a young woman on his lap was released by the US Department of Justice last night.
Police unwittingly left a description of the secret case name in a Google search result — even though the classified term does not appear on the police website itself.
Clicking on the link leads to the Major Investigation Police Portal — a site designed for witnesses and informants to send tips nationwide.
A source said: “The fact that there is a codename for this investigation tells you all you need to know — this is a large-scale police operation.
“There must have been a temptation to use many different phrases but it’s clear they needed something plain and usable so cops can go about their business undeterred.
“With all the efforts they have gone to in order to lock down the investigation and stop any leaks, it feels a bit daft for them to just leave it on Google.
“But it’s clear this is being taken seriously — which means there must be more to come surely.”
Details released as part of the US government’s publication of Epstein files included documents suggesting Andrew, then a UK trade envoy, emailed his paedo pal reports on official trips to Asia and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
As a result of his relationship with Epstein, who was found dead in his cell in 2019 awaiting trial for sex trafficking, Andrew has been stripped of his titles and forced out of Royal Lodge in Windsor to a smaller property in Sandringham.
He was arrested there on his 66th birthday last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
There have been moves to remove him from the line of succession.
He denies any wrongdoing. Thames Valley Police declined to comment.
