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A US congressional committee probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he submit to an interview as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a document released on Thursday, a lawmaker, the leading Democrat on the House oversight committee, requested that King Charles III’s brother assist with its probe.

The official demand to provide testimony follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal title and opted to give up his leased home in Windsor.

Files and Accusations

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

“The panel will examine claims of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein’s activities, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It demanded information from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his friendship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has always categorically denied any wrongdoing.

Details of the Request

“It has been publicly reported that your relationship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been reported that you went with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of assaulting young girls. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, along with the recently revealed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further supports our concern that you may have important details about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A announcement regarding the letter said it was co-signed 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 called to testify before the oversight committee. The people should be able to know who was assaulting women and young girls alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not hold the ability to compel the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot compel testimony from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to cooperate to US demands for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had approached Andrew’s attorneys to check on his previous pledge that he was “prepared to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that assurance,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “offered no cooperation”.

Demands for Transparency

The lawmaker said in a comment that “rich and powerful men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the opportunity to tell the truth and provide accountability for the affected individuals. We will not stop fighting for responsibility and clarity 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 victims, as well as news accounts of disclosed papers, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the ongoing probe. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our probe will demonstrate that, and the survivors will receive belated redress. The Royal Family’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 formally revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III officially made the change – which had been declared a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the crown office released in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.