The Duke of York has chosen not to respond to a formal invitation from United States lawmakers to discuss his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Congressional Deadline Passes Unanswered
Sixteen members of Congress had signed a letter requesting Andrew's testimony before the House Oversight Committee, giving him until today to respond. The invitation came with strong calls for the former prince to 'come clean' about his dealings with the billionaire financier.
Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam expressed frustration with Andrew's silence, stating earlier this week that the royal is 'hiding from us'. He delivered a stark warning: 'If he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed.'
Financial Records Raise Questions
The oversight committee's investigation focuses on Epstein and how authorities handled his case. Their letter to Andrew referenced financial records containing concerning notations such as 'massage for Andrew' that lawmakers say raise serious questions.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who serves on the Oversight Committee, had publicly urged Andrew to 'come before the US Congress and voluntarily testify' during a BBC Newsnight interview two weeks ago when the request was initially sent.
Legal Limitations and Previous Allegations
American lawmakers face a significant obstacle in compelling Andrew's cooperation - the House cannot subpoena him because he is a foreign national. This leaves voluntary testimony as their only option.
The controversy comes after Andrew was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month. He continues to strenuously deny any wrongdoing, including allegations from the late Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault when she was a teenager.
Mr Subramanyam has previously claimed that Epstein may have trafficked additional women to Andrew, telling the Mail on Sunday: 'We have reason to believe that there are others who may have been trafficked to Andrew.'
The situation intensified last month when the Mail on Sunday revealed Epstein introduced Andrew to a second woman who had been sexually abused by the financier for years. An email from August 11, 2010 shows Epstein writing: 'I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with,' to which Andrew replied: 'Would be delighted to see her. Please give her my contact details.'
Epstein was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 in what authorities ruled a suicide while he faced sex trafficking charges.
