Congressional Panel Seeks Interview with Prince Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation
A US congressional body investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sent a letter to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he submit to questioning as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s wrongdoings.
In a letter made public on Thursday, a California congressman, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, urged that King Charles III’s sibling assist with its investigation.
The written appeal to provide testimony follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his princely title and agreed to surrender his property in Windsor.
Documents and Allegations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in papers and flight logs obtained from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of sexual assault.
“The committee will examine allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request data on Epstein’s activities, network, and associates based on the men’s long-term and extensively reported friendship,” the committee said in a press release.
It demanded details from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his association with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has consistently categorically denied any wrongdoing.
Content of the Request
“It has been documented that your friendship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 sentencing for procuring minors for sex work,” the letter said.
It added: “It has also been claimed that you traveled with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of harming young girls. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, along with the freshly uncovered 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further confirms our concern that you may have important details about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”
A announcement regarding the letter said it was co-signed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a response by 20 November.
Previous Comments and Collaboration
The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be asked to appear before the panel. The people should be able to know who was assaulting women and young girls alongside Epstein.”
However, the congressman does not hold the power to legally require the former prince and Congress itself cannot force evidence from a overseas individual.
In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor did not respond to US appeals for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had approached Andrew’s lawyers to check on his earlier promise that he was “willing to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.
“It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “offered absolutely no cooperation”.
Calls for Transparency
The lawmaker said in a statement that “wealthy and well-connected men have avoided accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and secure accountability for the affected individuals. We will not stop fighting for answerability and openness for those affected of Epstein and his gang of accomplices.”
Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of leaked documents, “it is crucial that Andrew assists with the current probe. If he is innocent, then he can prove his innocence.”
The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our investigation will show that, and the victims will receive long overdue redress. The Royal Family’s actions taking away Andrew of his honors suggest there is more to this case.”
The letter was issued on the same day the British king formally removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III officially made the alteration – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.