🔗 Share this article Congressional Committee Requests Interview with Andrew in Epstein Probe A American legislative panel probing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he undergo a deposition as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities. In a letter published on Thursday, a California congressman, the top Democrat on the House investigative committee, urged that King Charles III’s younger brother help with its investigation. The official demand to respond to queries comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his princely title and opted to give up his property in Windsor. Files and Claims Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in papers and flight logs secured from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse. “The oversight committee will examine claims of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek details on Epstein’s network, associates, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement. It requested details from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his association with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. Andrew has consistently vehemently rejected any wrongdoing. Substance of the Request “It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 conviction for soliciting 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 residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of abusing minors. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, combined 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 important details about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.” A statement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a reply by 20 November. Previous Comments and Collaboration The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be asked to give evidence before the panel. The people deserves to know who was assaulting women and young girls alongside Epstein.” However, the lawmaker does not have the ability to compel the duke and Congress itself cannot force statements from a non-US citizen. In 2020, US agencies said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to respond to US appeals for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had reached out to Andrew’s legal team to inquire on his earlier promise that he was “willing to help any relevant law enforcement agency”. “It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “offered zero cooperation”. Calls for Justice The lawmaker said in a comment that “rich and well-connected men have escaped accountability for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver accountability for the affected individuals. We will not cease pushing for accountability and transparency for survivors of Epstein and his group of co-conspirators.” Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after hearing evidence to the committee from Epstein’s accusers, as well as public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew works together with the active probe. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.” The lawmaker added: “And if not, our probe will demonstrate that, and the victims will receive much-delayed redress. The Royal Family’s actions removing Andrew of his styles indicate there is more to this case.” The letter was sent on the same day the British king formally revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his HRH style. Charles III publicly made the adjustment – which had been declared a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the crown office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s public registry.