Formed after the release of millions of new documents by the US justice department last Friday, which highlighted links between the alleged provider of under-age women to many powerful figures, the team’s work could lead to a formal commission inquiry.

Justice minister Waldemar Zurek has been named to lead the team. “As you know from media reports, Epstein’s circle included Poles,” Zurek told journalists.

“It is said that his staff, which managed this dramatic, covert operation, included two Poles,” Zurek said.

Zurek said Polish officials know the names of the two individuals – a Polish woman and a Polish man” – but did not provide further information.

The justice minister said the team will determine whether there were activities involving Epstein and his network in Poland warranting further investigation, including the potential presence of Polish victims.

So far, according to Zurek, “no victims of this practice have come forward … but we know that this recruitment of women may also be juvenile”.

The justice minister said the team’s work could eventually lead to a formal commission that would “want to request some of the classified documentation from the US,” as part of an eventual investigation.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday that Poland would examine links between the disgraced financier and Russian intelligence.

However, this was laughed off by the Kremlin. Its spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “let’s not waste our time,” in response to the accusations.

The first meeting of the Polish team is to take place next week, with much of its personnel already assembled.