A second woman has alleged that Jeffrey Epstein sent her to the UK to have a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew, according to her lawyer, as pressure mounts on the former prince to testify before the US Congress. The woman claims she spent the night at Andrew's residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010, when she was in her 20s. Her lawyer, Brad Edwards, told the BBC that after the encounter, she was given a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea.
Edwards, who represents dozens of Epstein survivors, said he is considering filing a civil lawsuit against Andrew on the woman's behalf. The lawyer also represented Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17. Andrew has denied all allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein, who killed himself in 2019.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Andrew “should be prepared” to give evidence about his links with Epstein. Communities Secretary Steve Reed echoed this, stating Andrew “clearly has insight into what was going on” and should testify. Reed also described newly emerged images of Andrew as “very disturbing”.
The US justice department released the latest tranche of Epstein files on Friday, in which Andrew features heavily. Last year, a US congressional panel investigating Epstein wrote to Andrew requesting he submit to questioning. An April 2020 US justice department document reveals US authorities were prepared to interview Andrew under a “proffer letter”, which outlines conditions under which his statement would not be used against him.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said both Andrew and Peter Mandelson should assist authorities investigating Epstein. The government has not commented on the possibility of an extradition request, with Reed calling it “entirely hypothetical”.
