British authorities are seeking the cooperation of the Justice Department as they pursue investigations arising from the Epstein files, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said in an interview Wednesday.
Commissioner Mark Rowley declined to opine on why the files have resulted in the arrests of two high-profile figures in the U.K. — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, and former ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson — while U.S. authorities have made no arrests or charges in the wake of the files’ release. But Rowley touted British authorities’ willingness to pursue “eminent” figures.
“I can’t speak about American policing strategies on this, because I haven’t plowed through their files,” he said. “But in the U.K., we’re proud of operating without fear or favor, and we’ll go where the evidence takes us. And we’ve investigated, and sometimes prosecuted, eminent people in the past, and I’m sure we’ll do it again in the future.”
Rowley said “conversations” between investigators in the Met Police and the Justice Department and FBI have been happening for some time — though he declined to provide a timeline. He said communication between British and American law enforcement is a precursor to more formal requests British authorities intend to file, including mutual legal assistance treaty — or MLAT — requests.
“You need the original documentation that the American teams have got, and a full, evidenced understanding of where that documentation came from, to be able to stand up a case if it’s ever going to result in a prosecution — which, of course, it may or may not do, depending where the investigation goes,” Rowley said.
The arrests of Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson have fueled criticism in Congress and elsewhere about the lack of consequences in the U.S. for the many prominent figures exposed in the Epstein files as having close ties to the late convicted sex offender.
Days after Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest, British police also arrested Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid allegations he passed confidential information to Epstein. Mandelson’s lawyers have said he is cooperating with the investigation. Neither has been charged.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department said “each country has its own laws and rules of evidence.”
“Prince Andrew was arrested for ‘misconduct in public office’ under U.K. law. No such federal crime exists here. As we have said repeatedly, if new evidence of a crime presents itself, we will investigate,” the spokesperson added.
Rowley said the conversations with the Justice Department are a preliminary move before a “formal process” can commence.
“The norm is, if you’re working with a country, you think they’ve got some material relevant for your investigation, you tend to start with conversations, because otherwise you’re sending an MLAT into — you’re sending it blind, really. So it tends to start with a conversation about what’s possible, what exists, what questions make sense to the recipient country, and then, and then it goes into the formal process. So we’re just working our way through that process.”
He declined to identify which Justice Department officials he has contacted, but indicated he has been satisfied by their willingness to cooperate thus far.
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The trees are turning orange, and we’re thinking of nothing else but pumpkins. Everything is starting to feel super cosy and wholesome. What better way…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/montreal-s-old-port-featuring-the-illuminated-grande-roue-de-montreal-and-a-colourful-ice-skating-rink-surrounded-by-snow-and-c.png?id=55832575&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=0%2C29%2C0%2C30"/><br/><br/><p>Like any major city, Montreal has two sides — one the tourists see and one they don't.</p><p>For folks passing through, essential stops throughout the city often include a handful of bucket list items such as climbing Mount Royal, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/montreal-bagels">having a world-famous Montreal bagel</a>, and attending a Canadiens game.</p><p>However, not everything catered to visitors is worth their while. </p><p>With that in mind, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/r/entryeditor/<iframe%20src=%22https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMTLBlog%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0pH7NZQipu2hBGuLYDaK8DVoMBSfi9Kz88mukKAk5gjZdWCrmWWK9ffJqKYkAWXFdl&show_text=true&width=500%22%20width=%22500%22%20height=%22250%22%20style=%22border:none;overflow:hidden%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20allow=%22autoplay;%20clipboard-write;%20encrypted-media;%20picture-in-picture;%20web-share%22%3E</iframe%3E" target="_self">we asked MTL Blog's social media followers</a> one simple question: "What do you think is <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-tourist-attractions-ranked-disappointing-canada">Montreal's biggest tourist trap</a>?"</p><p>Our readers didn't disappoint, getting specific with what they thought tourists (or locals!) should skip the next time they're in town.</p><p>With that said, here's a list of activities visitors might want to think twice about based on the top responses.</p><h3>The "underground city"</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjP5zRTPu3/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjP5zRTPu3/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Visitors often get excited when they hear about Montreal having a grand underground city. In reality, it's more of a shopping mall connected through a series of tunnels and Metro stations.</p><p>"Tourists think it's a historic archaeological underground urban wonder, like Troy. Boy, are they disappointed to see only an extended shopping mall," one Facebook user remarked.</p><p>Unless you're looking to escape a snowstorm, this might not be the hidden wonder that you're expecting.</p><h3>Eating in the Old Port</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ETFdUxKMY/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ETFdUxKMY/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Montreal is notorious for having an excellent food scene. Unfortunately, most of its finest establishments are outside the city's central tourist hub.</p><p>"I used to live in the Old Port," one Facebook user said. "A lot of the restaurants are, how should I say this, not catering to return customers."</p><p>Others took the opportunity to vent about the current state of the area. "It has been converted into a shanty town of T-shirts and souvenir shot glass vendors... Used to be a classy neighbourhood," another Montrealer chimed in.</p><p>While the Old Port itself is worth a stroll, you may want to venture elsewhere for a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/you-havent-dined-montreal-unless-youve-tried-these-spots-once">genuinely authentic Montreal meal</a>.</p><h3>La Ronde</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9AHGllRPZZ/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9AHGllRPZZ/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Most Montrealers have been to La Ronde at least once. While some love it, plenty of folks were quick to call Quebec's largest amusement park a total tourist trap.</p><p>"There was a time when La Ronde was a great theme park. But no longer," one local noted.</p><p><span></span>If you're used to bigger theme parks like Canada's Wonderland or Six Flags, you might find some of La Ronde's attractions underwhelming to say the least.</p><h3>La Grande Roue</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_am4_pg8d-/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_am4_pg8d-/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>It's hard to miss this massive Ferris wheel in the Old Port, but opinions are divided on its value.</p><p>Many commenters agreed the view was nice but not worth the steep entry price. </p><p>Considering adult tickets go for upwards of $27 a ride, we see their point.</p><h3>Schwartz's Deli</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DESbyd8JiZ6/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DESbyd8JiZ6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>It may be hard to believe, but this <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/oldest-montreal-restaurants-still-open" target="_self">beloved Montreal institution</a> topped the list of Montreal's biggest tourist hotspots, according to our readers.</p><p>Many claimed the 98-year-old smoked meat shop's famous sandwich wasn't worth the hype or the long lines.</p><p>"Schwartz's Deli. Mediocre smoked meat at tourist prices," one straight-talking user commented.</p><p>Others hesitated to call it a tourist trap, torn between the steep price and the undeniable taste.</p><p>"I hate to say it, but Schwartz's Deli," another added.</p><p>While the deli is not cheap and can be a bit crowded, it's hard to call it a "trap" once you've taken a bite of their iconic sandwich. Nevertheless, the people have spoken!</p><p>What's more, it seems like some of these responses reflect wider trends when it comes to Montreal's overrated destinations.</p><p>Last year, Preply analyzed Tripadvisor reviews from over 130 tourist attractions across the country. <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-tourist-attractions-ranked-disappointing-canada" target="_self">Montreal's La Ronde was crowned Canada's second-worst attraction</a> (behind Marineland in Niagara Falls), with 51.86% " of reviewers describing it as "disappointing."</p><p>Two more Montreal spots ranked on the list: the Olympic Park (30.80% of people were disappointed) and the Biodome (21.86%). Zoom out to the top 20, and Montreal makes the list again (yikes), with Rue Sainte-Catherine placing 16th.</p><p><span></span>Meanwhile, some of our readers took the question a little too literally, either calling the entire city a tourist trap or pointing to people getting "trapped" in the city's infamous array of potholes.</p><p>"Probably the potholes, tourists get in one and just can’t get back out," one user commented</p><p>Looking for more local insights? In a video we filmed a few months back, Montrealers shared their thoughts on other popular spots often labelled as tourist traps, such as the Orange Julep, La Banquise, and the Montreal Science Centre.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
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</p><p>Taking all these responses into account, it's become clear that tourist traps are often just a matter of perspective.</p><p>What you may deem a rip-off, others might see as an unmissable experience — and hey, at least these hotspots help keep the crowds away from <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/hidden-gem-montreal" target="_blank">Montreal’s real hidden gems</a>.</p>
