Congressional Committee Seeks Deposition with Andrew in Epstein Investigation
A American legislative committee probing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has sent a letter to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he submit to a deposition as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s criminal operations.
In a letter published on Thursday, a California congressman, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, requested that King Charles III’s brother help with its probe.
The formal request to answer questions comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal title and opted to vacate his property in Windsor.
Files and Accusations
Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in papers and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.
“The panel will examine claims of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request information on Epstein’s network, circle, and associates based on the men’s long-term and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a press release.
It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has always strongly denied any impropriety.
Details of the Letter
“It has been documented that your association with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 sentencing for trafficking underage girls for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.
It continued: “It has also been claimed that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s home at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of harming underage individuals. This intimate friendship with Mr Epstein, along with the freshly uncovered 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our concern that you may have key insights about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”
A announcement regarding the letter said it was endorsed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a reply by 20 November.
Past Comments and Cooperation
The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be called to appear before the committee. The people has the right to know who was harming women and young girls alongside Epstein.”
However, the representative does not have the power to compel the former prince and Congress itself cannot compel testimony from a foreign national.
In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to respond to US demands for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s lawyers to inquire on his public commitment that he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.
“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided absolutely no cooperation”.
Calls for Accountability
The congressman said in a statement that “wealthy and well-connected men have avoided accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver justice for the survivors. Oversight Democrats will not halt advocating for answerability and transparency for those affected of Epstein and his group of partners.”
Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after hearing testimony to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of released files, “it is vital that Andrew works together with the ongoing probe. If he is innocent, then he can vindicate himself.”
The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our investigation will demonstrate that, and the survivors will receive long overdue accountability. The Royal Family’s actions taking away Andrew of his titles suggest there is further to this situation.”
The letter came on the same day the British king officially stripped Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III publicly made the change – 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.
