The Metropolitan Police has defended its decision to stop pursuing historic sex trafficking allegations made against Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.
In recent days, one of Epstein's accusers Virginia Roberts Giuffre, accused Scotland Yard of having not looked into allegations she made relating to 2001.
In response to this, the force has said that it did initially look into the accusations but decided it "was not the appropriate authority to conduct enquiries".
Ms Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein, recently alleged the accusations were not pursued due to "corruption".
Metropolitan Police Commander Alex Murray said: "In July 2015 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) confirmed it had received an allegation of non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation.
"The allegation was made against a US national, Jeffrey Epstein, and a British woman."
This, the force said, related to events outside of the UK and an allegation of trafficking to central London in March 2001.
"Officers assessed the available evidence, interviewed the complainant and obtained early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service," Commander Murray added.
"Following the legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities and relationships outside the UK.
"We therefore concluded that the MPS was not the appropriate authority to conduct enquiries in these circumstances and, in November 2016, a decision was made that this matter would not proceed to a full criminal investigation."
It said following his death in 2019 its position remained the same.
Commander Murray insisted the MPS "takes any allegations concerning sexual exploitation seriously".
The force added officers had spoken to other law enforcement agencies but have “not received a formal request asking for assistance”.
A Panorama interview with Ms Guiffre is to be broadcast on Monday.
