Congressional Panel Requests Deposition with Prince Andrew in Epstein Investigation

A American legislative committee probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he undergo an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s wrongdoings.

In a letter released on Thursday, a California congressman, the top Democrat on the House oversight panel, asked that King Charles III’s sibling assist with its probe.

The written appeal to provide testimony follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his HRH style and consented to vacate his property in Windsor.

Documents and Accusations

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

“The committee will probe allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request data on Epstein’s operations, circle, and associates based on the men’s enduring and extensively reported friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It requested details from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any misconduct.

Substance of the Communication

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

It added: “It has also been reported that you traveled with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of assaulting underage individuals. This intimate friendship with Mr Epstein, coupled with the recently revealed 2011 electronic correspondence 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 notification regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a answer by 20 November.

Previous Remarks and Collaboration

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be summoned to testify before the oversight committee. The public has the right to know who was harming women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”

However, the representative does not hold the ability to compel the former prince and Congress itself cannot oblige evidence from a non-US citizen.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to respond to US appeals for an meeting. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s attorneys to inquire on his public commitment that he was “ready to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “given no cooperation”.

Demands for Accountability

The representative said in a announcement that “wealthy and influential men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the chance to tell the truth and provide accountability for the survivors. Oversight Democrats will not cease advocating for answerability and clarity for survivors of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to testimony to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as media coverage of released files, “it is vital that Andrew assists with the ongoing probe. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker added: “And if not, our investigation will reveal that, and the survivors will receive belated justice. The royal household’s actions removing Andrew of his honors indicate there is additional to this situation.”

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