Congressional Committee Seeks Interview with Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation
A US congressional committee probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he submit to an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s criminal operations.
In a letter made public on Thursday, a lawmaker, the senior Democrat on the House investigative committee, urged that King Charles III’s sibling cooperate with its inquiry.
The formal request to answer questions comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his princely title and opted to surrender his rented residence in Windsor.
Documents and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name appears in records and aviation records secured from Epstein’s estate and made public by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.
“The committee will probe allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request information on Epstein’s activities, circle, and associates based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a statement.
It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly categorically denied any wrongdoing.
Substance of the Request
“It has been documented that your association with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 guilty verdict for procuring minors for sex work,” the letter said.
It stated further: “It has also been claimed that you went with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s home at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of assaulting underage individuals. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, along with the recently revealed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our concern that you may have key insights about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his partners in crime.”
A announcement regarding the letter said it was endorsed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and asks a answer by 20 November.
Previous Remarks and Assistance
The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “Andrew should be called to give evidence before the panel. The citizens deserves to know who was abusing women and minors alongside Epstein.”
However, the congressman does not hold the ability to subpoena the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot compel statements from a foreign national.
In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor did not respond to US demands for an meeting. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s attorneys to check on his earlier promise that he was “ready to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.
“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.
Demands for Transparency
The congressman said in a comment that “wealthy and well-connected men have evaded accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the chance to be honest and provide justice for the affected individuals. The committee will not halt pushing for accountability and openness for those affected of Epstein and his group of accomplices.”
Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to accounts to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as news accounts of disclosed papers, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the active probe. If he is not guilty, then he can clear his name.”
The lawmaker added: “And if not, our examination will demonstrate that, and the victims will receive belated redress. The monarchy’s actions removing Andrew of his styles suggest there is further to this situation.”
The letter came on the same day the British king officially stripped Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III formally made the adjustment – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “letters patent” which the royal office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.