Congressional Committee Requests Interview with the Duke of York in Jeffrey Epstein Inquiry
A American legislative panel investigating pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he submit to an interview as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities.
In a letter released on Thursday, a US representative, the top Democrat on the House oversight panel, urged that King Charles III’s brother help with its probe.
The official demand to answer questions comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal title and consented to give up his rented residence in Windsor.
Documents and Claims
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in documents and aviation records secured from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.
“The oversight committee will investigate claims of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek details on Epstein’s network, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.
It sought particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his association with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly vehemently rejected any wrongdoing.
Content of the Letter
“It has been widely reported that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 sentencing for procuring minors for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.
It stated further: “It has also been alleged that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of harming minors. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, combined with the recently revealed 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further supports our concern that you may have key insights about the crimes committed by Mr Epstein and his partners in crime.”
A notification regarding the letter said it was endorsed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a answer by 20 November.
Earlier Remarks and Cooperation
The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be called to testify before the committee. The people has the right to know who was abusing women and minors alongside Epstein.”
However, the lawmaker does not hold the authority to compel the former prince and Congress itself cannot compel evidence from a foreign national.
In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to cooperate to US appeals for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s attorneys to follow up on his earlier promise that he was “ready to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.
“It’s fair 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”.
Demands for Justice
The congressman said in a statement that “wealthy and powerful men have avoided accountability for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the chance to be honest and secure accountability for the survivors. We will not stop fighting for responsibility and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his gang of accomplices.”
Another endorser, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as media coverage of released files, “it is crucial that Andrew cooperates with the ongoing inquiry. If he is blameless, then he can vindicate himself.”
The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our investigation will show that, and the affected individuals will receive long overdue accountability. The monarchy’s actions removing Andrew of his titles suggest there is further to this story.”
The letter came on the same day the British king officially revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III officially made the alteration – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.