Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former prince, has failed to meet the deadline set by the US Congress to respond to their request for him to testify about his ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein
According to GB News, a group of 16 members of Congress had given Andrew until today to reply to their demand that he appear before the House Oversight Committee.
In their letter to Andrew, the lawmakers stated: “The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers, and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations.
“Well-documented allegations against you, along with your long-standing friendship with Mr Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities relevant to our investigation.
“In the interest of justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, we request that you cooperate with the committee’s investigation by sitting for a transcribed interview with the committee.”
Andrew consistently denies allegations, Met Police found claims insufficient
Andrew has persistently denied all allegations leveled against him, and the Metropolitan Police previously determined that the sex assault claims did not warrant further investigation.
Suhas Subramanyam, one of the 16 Congress members who signed the letter, accused the former Duke of York of “hiding from us” earlier this week.
He cautioned Andrew that “if he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed.”
Democrat urges Andrew to ‘come clean’ and testify voluntarily
When the request was first issued on November 6, Democrat Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi called on Andrew to “come clean.”
“Come clean. Come before the US Congress, voluntarily testify,” he told BBC Newsnight.
The congressional letter makes specific mention of Virginia Giuffre, discussing the “several allegations that you [Andrew] abused her when she was just 17 years old.”
Andrew stripped of titles, denies wrongdoing
Earlier this month, Andrew was stripped of his titles of duke and prince, but he continues to strongly deny any wrongdoing.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace announced: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
PM Starmer distances himself, says it’s a matter for Andrew
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has distanced himself from the US Congress’s request, stating that it “is a matter” for Andrew himself.
While at Cop30, he told broadcasters: “Well, in the end, it’s a matter for him personally.
“My view, and this is not about the individual case, more broadly, is that anybody who has relevant information should always be willing to give it to whatever inquiries need that information.
“But the individual decision is a matter for him.”
