House Panel Requests Deposition with Andrew in Epstein Investigation
A American legislative body investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he submit to a deposition as part of its probe into Epstein’s illegal activities.
In a document published on Thursday, a lawmaker, the senior Democrat on the House oversight committee, asked that King Charles III’s younger brother help with its probe.
The formal request to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his royal title and opted to surrender his rented residence in Windsor.
Documents and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in documents and travel logs secured from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.
“The committee will probe allegations of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will demand information on Epstein’s network, associates, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.
It demanded information from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has consistently strongly denied any impropriety.
Content of the Communication
“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.
It stated further: “It has also been claimed that you traveled with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s home at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of assaulting minors. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, along with the newly disclosed 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further confirms our belief that you may have key insights about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”
A announcement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a answer by 20 November.
Past Statements and Collaboration
The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be summoned to testify before the panel. The public has the right to know who was assaulting women and minors alongside Epstein.”
However, the representative does not hold the power to legally require the duke and Congress itself cannot compel evidence from a overseas individual.
In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor did not respond to US appeals for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had approached Andrew’s legal team to check on his previous pledge that he was “willing to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.
“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.
Appeals for Transparency
The representative said in a announcement that “rich and powerful men have evaded the law for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the opportunity to tell the truth and provide accountability for the victims. The committee will not cease pushing for responsibility and openness for victims 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 public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the current probe. If he is innocent, then he can clear his name.”
The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the victims will receive belated justice. The royal household’s actions taking away Andrew of his titles indicate there is further to this situation.”
The letter was issued on the same day the British king officially stripped Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III formally made the adjustment – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the crown office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.