Congressional Committee Requests Questioning with Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Probe
A US congressional committee investigating pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he participate in questioning as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities.
In a letter made public on Thursday, a lawmaker, the senior Democrat on the House oversight panel, requested that King Charles III’s sibling help with its inquiry.
The written appeal to respond to queries arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his HRH style and opted to give up his rented residence in Windsor.
Documents and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in records and aviation records subpoenaed from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of sexual assault.
“The oversight committee will examine allegations of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein’s activities, associates, and connections based on the men’s longstanding and extensively reported friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.
It sought particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his relationship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any misconduct.
Content of the Letter
“It has been publicly reported that your relationship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 sentencing for trafficking underage girls for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.
It added: “It has also been reported that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of assaulting minors. This close relationship 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 statement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a answer by 20 November.
Previous Remarks and Collaboration
The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be called to appear before the panel. The people has the right to know who was abusing women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”
However, the lawmaker does not possess the authority to subpoena the duke and Congress itself cannot oblige testimony from a non-US citizen.
In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to respond to US demands for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had reached out to Andrew’s lawyers to check on his public commitment that he was “willing to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.
“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided absolutely no cooperation”.
Demands for Justice
The lawmaker said in a statement that “affluent and powerful men have avoided the law for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver justice for the survivors. The committee will not halt pushing for responsibility and openness for those affected of Epstein and his group of accomplices.”
Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving accounts to the committee from Epstein’s accusers, as well as news accounts of disclosed papers, “it is vital that Andrew works together with the current inquiry. If he is not guilty, then he can clear his name.”
The lawmaker added: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the victims will receive much-delayed justice. The royal household’s actions stripping Andrew of his honors suggest there is further to this case.”
The letter was issued on the same day the British king publicly revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III officially made the adjustment – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the royal office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
