Congressional Committee Asks for Deposition with Andrew in Epstein Inquiry
A American legislative body probing sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has sent a letter to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he undergo questioning as part of its probe into Epstein’s illegal activities.
In a letter released on Thursday, a lawmaker, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, urged that King Charles III’s brother assist with its probe.
The formal request to provide testimony follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his princely title and opted to vacate his property in Windsor.
Records and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name appears in documents and aviation records secured from Epstein’s estate and made public by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s survivors, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.
“The panel will probe allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request details on Epstein’s operations, associates, and accomplices based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a statement.
It sought particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his friendship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has always vehemently rejected any wrongdoing.
Substance of the Letter
“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for sex work,” the letter said.
It continued: “It has also been claimed that you traveled with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of abusing minors. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, combined with the newly disclosed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our concern that you may have important details about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his partners in crime.”
A statement regarding the letter said it was co-signed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a response by 20 November.
Past Remarks and Collaboration
The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be asked to testify before the committee. The public should be able to know who was harming women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”
However, the congressman does not hold the authority to compel the duke and Congress itself cannot compel testimony from a overseas individual.
In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to cooperate to US appeals for an meeting. 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 inquire on his public commitment that he was “ready to help any suitable 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 “provided absolutely no cooperation”.
Appeals for Accountability
The lawmaker said in a comment that “affluent and influential men have avoided accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and secure accountability for the affected individuals. The committee will not stop advocating for accountability and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his group of accomplices.”
Another endorser, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s accusers, as well as news accounts of released files, “it is essential that Andrew cooperates with the current probe. If he is blameless, then he can clear his name.”
The lawmaker added: “And if not, our investigation will reveal that, and the survivors will receive much-delayed justice. The Royal Family’s actions stripping Andrew of his styles suggest there is additional to this case.”
The letter came on the same day the British king formally revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III publicly made the adjustment – which had been declared a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the monarch’s office released in the Gazette, the UK’s public registry.
