UK minister urges former prince Andrew to help US Epstein probe
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Former prince Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein have long been a source of embarrassment for the British royal family.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – A British minister urged King Charles III’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, to cooperate with a US congressional panel that is investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
Sixteen Democrats on the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Nov 6 wrote to Andrew, who the King in late October stripped of the title “Prince” owing to his association with Epstein, requesting a formal interview
“Well-documented allegations against you, along with your longstanding friendship with Mr Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities relevant to our investigation,” they said in their letter.
On Nov 7, Britain’s Housing Secretary Steve Reed suggested Andrew should cooperate with the legislators, telling BBC radio: “I think if anyone has information that can help with investigations, they should do that. But it is a matter for him, a private individual.”
The approach heaps further pressure on Andrew, whose well-documented ties to Epstein have long been a source of embarrassment for the British royal family.
The former prince in 2022 settled out of court a case brought by Ms Virginia Giuffre claiming Epstein “lent” her to him for sexual abuse when she was a teenager – an allegation he has always denied.
The royal press office said it no longer looks after queries relating to Andrew and referred Bloomberg to a Gmail account for his office. That office did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.
“Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long,” Mr Robert Garcia, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said in a statement.
“Now, former prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors. Oversight Democrats will not stop fighting for accountability and transparency for survivors of Epstein and his gang of co-conspirators.” BLOOMBERG
