In the heart of Valletta, at the British High Commission’s imposing building on Republic Street, the news from across the pond has sparked a ripple of interest. UK’s Metropolitan Police has confirmed it’s ready to probe a sexual misconduct claim against Prince Andrew, a development that could have echoes here in Malta.

The claim, made by Virginia Giuffre, alleges she was trafficked by the late Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the prince in 2001, when she was 17. While the prince has vehemently denied the allegations, the Met’s announcement has raised eyebrows in Malta, where Epstein was once a frequent visitor.

Malta’s connection to the Epstein scandal runs deep. The convicted sex offender owned a mansion in the upscale town of Marsa, where he hosted high-profile guests, including Prince Andrew. The property, known as ‘Epstein’s Palace’, has since been demolished, but the memories linger.

Malta’s role in the Epstein saga took a sinister turn in 2016 when it was revealed that the island’s secretive Individual Investor Programme (IIP) had granted citizenship to some of Epstein’s associates. The scheme, since renamed the Malta Residence and Visa Programme, has been a source of controversy, with critics alleging it allowed the wealthy and influential to buy their way into Europe.

In the wake of the Epstein scandal, Malta’s government launched an inquiry into the IIP, leading to the resignation of the then-justice minister, Owen Bonnici. The inquiry found that due diligence in the IIP process was ‘not always adequate’, a euphemism that sparked outrage among opposition parties.

Prince Andrew’s visits to Malta were not limited to Epstein’s Marsa mansion. In 2011, he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. The visit was marred by protests, with activists calling for an end to tax havens and the IIP.

Malta’s connection to the Epstein scandal and now, potentially, to the Prince Andrew misconduct claim, has shone a spotlight on the island’s reputation as a haven for the wealthy and influential. As the Met prepares to probe the allegations, all eyes are on Malta, waiting to see if the island’s past will catch up with its present.

As the UK police probe the allegations against Prince Andrew, Malta finds itself once again at the centre of a global storm. The island’s government has a chance here to distance itself from the past and demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability. The question is, will it take it?

Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Justice, Byron Camilleri, has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.