Congressional Committee Requests Interview with Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation
A US congressional committee looking into sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he undergo questioning as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s criminal operations.
In a letter published on Thursday, a California congressman, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, urged that King Charles III’s younger brother assist with its probe.
The formal request to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his royal title and agreed to give up his rented residence in Windsor.
Records and Claims
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in papers and travel logs secured from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.
“The committee will investigate claims of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request details on Epstein’s activities, associates, and connections based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.
It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has always vehemently rejected any wrongdoing.
Details of the Communication
“It has been documented that your friendship with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.
It stated further: “It has also been reported that you traveled with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s home at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of harming minors. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, coupled with the freshly uncovered 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further supports our belief 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 endorsed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a response by 20 November.
Past Comments and Cooperation
The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be asked to appear before the committee. The people has the right to know who was abusing women and minors alongside Epstein.”
However, the lawmaker does not have the authority to compel the duke and Congress itself cannot oblige testimony from a overseas individual.
In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to cooperate to US demands 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 previous pledge that he was “prepared to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.
“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided no cooperation”.
Calls for Justice
The lawmaker said in a statement that “affluent and influential men have evaded accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver redress for the survivors. The committee will not cease fighting for accountability and openness for victims of Epstein and his group of accomplices.”
Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after hearing evidence to the committee from Epstein’s accusers, as well as public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is vital that Andrew cooperates with the current inquiry. If he is innocent, then he can prove his innocence.”
The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our investigation will show that, and the affected individuals will receive long overdue accountability. The royal household’s actions removing Andrew of his styles suggest there is more to this story.”
The letter was sent on the same day the British king officially revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III publicly made the adjustment – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
