House Committee Seeks Interview with Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Probe

A American legislative body probing sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has sent a letter to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he submit to an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a communication released on Thursday, a lawmaker, the leading Democrat on the House oversight committee, urged that King Charles III’s sibling assist with its probe.

The formal request to provide testimony comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his royal title and consented to vacate his property in Windsor.

Documents and Allegations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in papers and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s survivors, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.

“The committee will examine claims of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will demand data on Epstein’s network, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his association with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly vehemently rejected any wrongdoing.

Content of the Communication

“It has been publicly reported that your friendship with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 guilty verdict for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been reported that you went with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of harming minors. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, coupled 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 valuable information about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A statement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a reply by 20 November.

Earlier Statements and Assistance

The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be summoned to testify before the panel. The people should be able to know who was abusing women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not hold the ability to legally require the former prince and Congress itself cannot force statements from a foreign national.

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 attorneys to follow up on his previous pledge that he was “ready to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “offered absolutely no cooperation”.

Demands for Accountability

The lawmaker said in a comment that “affluent and powerful men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the opportunity to be honest and provide justice for the affected individuals. We will not stop advocating for responsibility and transparency for survivors of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving testimony to the committee from Epstein’s accusers, as well as public reporting of leaked documents, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the current probe. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our examination will reveal that, and the victims will receive belated accountability. The Royal Family’s actions stripping Andrew of his titles suggest there is additional to this story.”

The letter was sent on the same day the British king publicly removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III publicly made the alteration – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “letters patent” which the crown office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.