US Vice President JD Vance has significantly increased pressure on Prince Andrew to provide testimony before American lawmakers concerning his longstanding association with the late convicted sex offender and financier, Jeffrey Epstein. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with the Daily Mail on Tuesday, Vance stated he would endorse bipartisan initiatives to summon the former royal to give evidence to Congress, specifically referencing recent remarks made by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Vance Endorses Congressional Summons for Andrew
'I saw Keir Starmer said something about this,' Vance remarked during the interview. 'I'm certainly open to it.' The Vice President clarified that the ultimate decision would rest with congressional Republicans, who he believes are best positioned to assess what Prince Andrew could contribute to the ongoing bipartisan investigation into Epstein and the US government's handling of his case. 'I'll let them determine whether they should talk to Prince Andrew. I'd certainly be open to it. But it's their call, not mine,' he added, emphasising the separation of powers.
Justice Department Files Reveal Damning Details
Vance pointed to the trove of documents released by the US Justice Department last Friday, which he claimed expose 'a pretty incestuous nature to America's elites.' These files include photographs depicting Prince Andrew crouched over a woman with his hand on her waist. Furthermore, the documents reveal that the Duke of York maintained frequent contact with Epstein for over two years after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. This correspondence included discussions about potential business ventures and social engagements.
In one particularly notable email exchange, Epstein facilitated a dinner date for Andrew with a '26, russian, clevere [sic] beautiful, trustworthy' woman in London during August 2010. A follow-up message from the mysterious Russian woman thanked Epstein for 'a really special adventure,' though it remains unclear if the meeting with Andrew actually transpired.
Contrast with Trump and Broader Elite Connections
The Vice President used the released files to draw a distinction between Epstein's relationship with Prince Andrew and his association with former President Donald Trump. Vance asserted that the documents effectively exonerate Trump, who was friends with Epstein from the 1990s until the mid-2000s. Trump has previously stated he distanced himself from Epstein due to 'creepy' behaviour towards young women at Mar-a-Lago.
'[Trump] knows a lot of these people. He certainly has similar wealth and power. But he never really was friendly with Epstein in a way that a lot of these other people were,' Vance insisted. He expanded his critique, stating, 'I think that it just shows there's an incestuous nature to America's elites, and it's pretty gross. And, a lot of people, I think it reflects very poorly on them. Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, a lot of others.'
Mounting Political Pressure from Both Sides of the Atlantic
The call for Prince Andrew's testimony has gained substantial bipartisan momentum. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated on Saturday that Andrew should appear before US lawmakers to explain everything he knows about Epstein, arguing it is essential to assist the victims. 'Anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that,' Starmer told reporters. 'You can't be victim-centered if you're not prepared to do that.'
This political pressure compounds the existing legal and reputational challenges facing the former prince. Andrew has not commented on the latest document release but was seen driving around Windsor on Monday. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Legal Hurdles and Past Controversies
Compelling Prince Andrew's testimony presents significant legal obstacles, as the US House of Representatives lacks the authority to subpoena a foreign national. This technicality has not deterred political figures from advocating for his voluntary cooperation.
The renewed scrutiny follows a series of damaging revelations:
- Andrew reached a £12 million out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, ending her civil sexual assault lawsuit. Giuffre had alleged the prince had sex with her on three occasions when she was 17.
- King Charles III stripped his brother of his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022, and later removed his Duke of York title and style as 'His Royal Highness' following the posthumous publication of Giuffre's memoir.
- Previous document releases cited financial records from the Epstein estate mentioning 'massages for Andrew' and a 2011 email where Andrew told Epstein, 'We are in this together.'
- The latest files also reveal that Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, offered to set Epstein up with a 'single' woman with 'a great body' after his child sex conviction.
Prince Andrew previously ignored an invitation to sit for a deposition before the US House Oversight Committee following an earlier release of Epstein-related files in November. Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Prince Andrew's representatives have been contacted for comment regarding the latest developments and Vance's statements.
