An arrest in Britain sends global shockwaves

In England, a major Epstein domino has finally teetered over.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former prince and close associate to Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday on suspicion that the disgraced aristocrat sent confidential trade reports to the financier and convicted sex offender, who was found to have committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Epstein’s close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently imprisoned after being convicted of child sex trafficking in 2022.

It is the first time a senior royal has been arrested in centuries (Andrew has since been released from custody as the investigation continues — he has not been charged). It is the newest low in the ex-prince’s life, after being stripped of his royal titles in October last year. King Charles said in response to the arrest that “the law must take its course,” — in other words, no help from the throne is on the way.

It’s an encouraging development that countries whose leaders and other prominent figures have been caught up in the sprawling Epstein scandal are finally beginning to take the matter as seriously as it deserves. U.K. authorities are also investigating Peter Mandelson, now-former minister for the Labour party, on similar suspicions that he passed sensitive materials to Epstein, though he has not been arrested. Mandelson resigned from Labour and stepped down from the House of Lords earlier this month.

In France, prosecutors opened new investigations this week into both potential sex crimes and financial abuses. The financial prosecutors’ office is investigating former French culture minister Jack Lang and his daughter’s alleged links to Epstein.

The release of the “Epstein files” — or at least what of them we have seen so far — make it clear that Epstein had regular contact with, and remarkable access to, powerful and influential people around the world.

Some of these people are wealthy and insulated enough that their associations with Epstein are not damaging enough to bring about their end — for now. That is why Andrew’s arrest is encouraging; even stripped of his titles, one might have expected the king’s brother to escape accountability. That he has not is a clear sign that no one can rest easy so long as their ties to Epstein are known.

That should be of particular concern to U.S. President Donald Trump. As is usual for him, Trump is attempting to power through this scandal on sheer belligerence and indignation. As figures connected to Epstein continue to run into consequences, Trump has good reason to be worried.

Most of the figures caught up in the Epstein case, such as Mandelson, are not accused of sexual wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Formal charges have yet to be laid. Rather, these ousters are motivated by the simple fact they had a relationship with him after his 2008 conviction of solicitation of prostitution with a minor. It is a stink which won’t wash off, and rightfully so.

Some of the figures caught up in the case simply choose to plead ignorance of Epstein’s history in a way that, frankly, strains credulity. Even if these associates really did not know Epstein’s history at first, it is absurd to think they would not have learned quickly enough, at which point a sensible person would immediately cut ties.

A functioning justice system must make efforts to find one guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The court of public opinion, however, has different rules. In that court, guilt by association is often sufficient, and ignorance is no excuse for people who should know better — and everyone associated with Epstein, at the very least after his conviction, should have known better.

As such, their downfall via association with him will have to be enough for now, while justice systems around the world slowly turn their wheels.