US Lawmakers Issue Formal Request for Sarah Ferguson's Testimony on Epstein Connections
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has received a direct request from senior US lawmaker Congressman Suhas Subramanyam to testify before a congressional committee investigating convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The letter, which was first reported by the BBC, represents the most significant pressure Ferguson has faced since the scandal became public.
Two-Week Deadline and Specific Questions About Royal Connections
The formal request, sent on Thursday, gives Ferguson a strict two-week deadline to respond, with Congressman Subramanyam asking for her cooperation by April 9, 2026. While there is no legal mechanism to compel her testimony from abroad, the congressional request carries substantial political weight and public scrutiny.
The letter specifically asks Ferguson about her "close personal and business ties" with Epstein and requests information about whether she had any knowledge of Prince Andrew's involvement in Epstein's operations. The former duke, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing regarding his relationship with the disgraced financier.
Revealing Email Correspondence Shows Close Relationship
Recent releases from the Epstein files have revealed extensive email correspondence between Ferguson and Epstein that continued well after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution for a minor. In one email, Ferguson described Epstein as "a legend," while in another she wrote: "I am at your service. Just marry me."
Additional correspondence shows Ferguson requesting financial assistance from Epstein, asking to borrow between £50,000 and £100,000 to "help get through the small bills that are pushing me over." In another message, she referred to Epstein as "the brother I have always wished for," indicating a remarkably close personal relationship.
Family of Epstein Victim Supports Congressional Request
The family of Virginia Giuffre, a late Epstein accuser, has publicly stated they "strongly believe" Ferguson should testify before US investigators. A representative for Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, told the BBC: "If Ferguson knows anything, she should testify in the United States immediately."
Congressman Subramanyam's letter states clearly: "It is clear that you possessed social and business ties to Mr Epstein and have knowledge of information that can assist our investigation." The committee is particularly interested in learning about any knowledge Ferguson might have regarding Prince Andrew's involvement with Epstein's operations, despite their official divorce in 1996.
Local Council Action and Business Consequences
The congressional request comes as City of York Council stripped Ferguson of her Freedom of the City of York title during a meeting at the Guildhall. Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley stated during the debate: "We now know, following the release of thousands of documents, that Sarah Ferguson too had a close friendship with Epstein, which continued well beyond his conviction."
Smalley added: "We don't expect recipients of York's highest honour to be saints. We simply do not want them to be best friends of convicted paedophiles. We stand with victims. We stand for the rule of law. We stand for decency."
In the wake of the Epstein files publication, six companies linked to Ferguson have begun winding down operations according to Companies House documents. Additionally, Sarah's Trust, a charity she founded, has announced it will close "for the foreseeable future."
Representatives for Sarah Ferguson have been approached for comment regarding the congressional request and the various developments surrounding her connections to Jeffrey Epstein and the ongoing investigation into his criminal network.
