Congressional Panel Asks for Interview with the Duke of York in Jeffrey Epstein Probe

A US congressional body probing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he participate in an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a letter published on Thursday, a California congressman, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, requested that King Charles III’s brother help with its inquiry.

The written appeal to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his princely title and consented to give up his rented residence in Windsor.

Files and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in records and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of sexual assault.

“The committee will probe claims of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s operations, network, and accomplices based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his friendship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly categorically denied any wrongdoing.

Content of the Letter

“It has been widely reported that your association with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 sentencing for procuring minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It stated further: “It has also been claimed 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 charged of abusing underage individuals. 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 belief that you may have key insights about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”

A announcement regarding the letter said it was co-signed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a answer by 20 November.

Previous Comments and Collaboration

The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be summoned to give evidence before the committee. The citizens should be able to know who was assaulting women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not possess the power to compel the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot oblige statements from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US agencies said that Mountbatten Windsor did not cooperate to US requests for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had approached Andrew’s lawyers to inquire on his public commitment that he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.

“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that assurance,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “offered zero cooperation”.

Demands for Justice

The congressman said in a announcement that “rich and well-connected men have avoided the law for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the chance to come clean and secure redress for the survivors. Oversight Democrats will not halt advocating for accountability and openness for those affected of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to testimony to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of leaked documents, “it is vital that Andrew works together with the ongoing inquiry. If he is blameless, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the affected individuals will receive much-delayed justice. The monarchy’s actions stripping Andrew of his honors suggest there is additional to this story.”

The letter was issued on the same day the British king formally removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III formally made the adjustment – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the royal office published in the Gazette, the UK’s public registry.