Congressional Panel Seeks Deposition with Prince Andrew in Epstein Probe

A US congressional body probing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he submit to an interview as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a letter published on Thursday, a lawmaker, the senior Democrat on the House oversight committee, urged that King Charles III’s younger brother help with its inquiry.

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.

Documents and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in records and flight logs subpoenaed from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.

“The panel will examine allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will demand data on Epstein’s operations, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s long-term and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a press release.

It requested particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his association with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any misconduct.

Content of the Request

“It has been publicly reported that your friendship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 sentencing for procuring minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It added: “It has also been alleged that you went 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 accused of abusing underage individuals. This intimate friendship with Mr Epstein, along with the freshly uncovered 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our concern that you may have important details about the crimes 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 response by 20 November.

Previous Remarks and Cooperation

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

However, the congressman does not hold the power to subpoena the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot oblige evidence from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor did not respond to US appeals for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had approached Andrew’s legal team to check on his public commitment that he was “prepared to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that assurance,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.

Demands for Accountability

The congressman said in a statement that “wealthy and well-connected men have avoided justice for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and deliver accountability for the survivors. Oversight Democrats will not cease pushing for accountability and openness for those affected of Epstein and his gang of co-conspirators.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew works together with the current investigation. If he is blameless, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker added: “And if not, our examination will show that, and the victims will receive belated justice. The royal household’s actions stripping Andrew of his titles show there is additional to this story.”

The letter was sent on the same day the British king officially stripped Mountbatten Windsor of his HRH style. Charles III formally made the adjustment – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s public registry.