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A American legislative body looking into pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he undergo an interview as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a letter published on Thursday, a lawmaker, the top Democrat on the House oversight panel, requested that King Charles III’s brother cooperate with its inquiry.

The formal request to provide testimony follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his princely title and agreed to give up his property in Windsor.

Records and Claims

Mountbatten Windsor’s name appears in papers and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.

“The panel will probe allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request information on Epstein’s network, associates, and associates based on the men’s enduring and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his relationship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any impropriety.

Details of the Letter

“It has been documented that your friendship with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been reported that you traveled with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been alleged of abusing underage individuals. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, along with the newly disclosed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further supports our suspicion that you may have valuable information about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A statement regarding the letter said it was endorsed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a reply by 20 November.

Earlier Statements and Collaboration

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “Andrew should be summoned to appear before the panel. The public should be able to know who was harming women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not possess the power to subpoena the former prince and Congress itself cannot oblige statements from a foreign national.

In 2020, US agencies said that Mountbatten Windsor did not cooperate to US requests for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s attorneys to follow up on his public commitment that he was “prepared to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that assurance,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “given zero cooperation”.

Demands for Accountability

The congressman said in a statement that “affluent and well-connected men have escaped accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and secure accountability for the affected individuals. Oversight Democrats will not halt fighting for responsibility and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his network of accomplices.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after receiving evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of released files, “it is essential that Andrew assists with the current investigation. If he is blameless, then he can clear his name.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our examination will demonstrate that, and the victims will receive long overdue justice. The monarchy’s actions taking away Andrew of his titles suggest there is more to this story.”

The letter was sent on the same day the British king formally removed Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III officially made the adjustment – which had been declared a week ago – by issuing a “royal decree” which the monarch’s office published in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.