Congressional Panel Requests Deposition with Prince Andrew in Jeffrey Epstein Inquiry
A American legislative body probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he submit to a deposition as part of its probe into Epstein’s illegal activities.
In a communication published on Thursday, a US representative, the leading Democrat on the House investigative committee, urged that King Charles III’s younger brother cooperate with its inquiry.
The official demand to provide testimony arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his princely title and agreed to vacate his rented residence in Windsor.
Documents and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in records and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and made public by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of sexual assault.
“The oversight committee will probe claims of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s operations, network, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a press release.
It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his association with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly categorically denied any misconduct.
Details of the Request
“It has been documented that your association with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.
It stated further: “It has also been alleged that you traveled with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of harming minors. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, coupled with the freshly uncovered 2011 electronic correspondence in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our belief that you may have key insights about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”
A announcement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a answer by 20 November.
Previous Statements and Assistance
The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be called to testify before the panel. The people should be able to know who was abusing women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”
However, the congressman does not hold the power to legally require the former prince and Congress itself cannot compel evidence from a overseas individual.
In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to cooperate to US appeals for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had approached Andrew’s legal team to inquire on his earlier promise that he was “willing to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.
“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.
Appeals for Accountability
The congressman said in a announcement that “wealthy and well-connected men have escaped the law for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the chance to be honest and secure accountability for the victims. Oversight Democrats will not cease fighting for accountability and transparency for victims of Epstein and his group of co-conspirators.”
Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to testimony to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as public reporting of released files, “it is crucial that Andrew assists with the active probe. If he is not guilty, then he can prove his innocence.”
The lawmaker added: “And if not, our investigation will demonstrate that, and the victims will receive much-delayed redress. The Royal Family’s actions stripping Andrew of his styles indicate there is further to this situation.”
The letter came on the same day the British king formally removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III officially made the alteration – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the royal office published in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
