Prime Minister Keir Starmer has increased pressure on Prince Andrew to cooperate with a US congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, stating that anyone with relevant information in child sexual offence cases should disclose it.
Asked whether Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles last month, should respond to the US House oversight committee, Starmer said those with “relevant information” should share it. Andrew had a long friendship with Epstein and is alleged to have sexually assaulted one of his victims, Virginia Giuffre – allegations he denies.
Starmer’s comments came after Andrew failed to respond to an interview request from the committee, prompting an angry response from two of its Democratic members. Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam said Andrew’s silence “speaks volumes” and that “our work will move forward with or without him”.
Despite their comments, the Democrats are unlikely to compel Andrew to testify without backing from Republicans, who chair the committee. James Comer, the Republican chair, has not said whether he would seek to force Andrew to testify, though the Epstein issue remains sensitive for his party given President Donald Trump’s involvement.
If Congress issued a subpoena, Andrew – who denies wrongdoing – could avoid legal penalties by not coming to the US.
