Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor should provide evidence to the United States government concerning its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This statement comes after the disgraced former prince failed to respond to an official summons from the US Congress.
Starmer's Principle on Cooperation
When questioned by reporters on whether the former Duke of York should assist American authorities, the Prime Minister refrained from commenting on the specific case. However, he firmly outlined his general stance. "Anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it," Starmer stated. He later added that while the ultimate decision rests with Andrew, his position remains that individuals with pertinent information "should be prepared to share it."
Congressional Pressure and Accusations
The US Congress has intensified its efforts to secure Andrew Windsor's testimony as part of its probe into the late financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and how the case was handled. A letter signed by 16 members of Congress was sent to Andrew, requesting a response by a Thursday deadline, which he has ignored.
The congressional committee has cited financial records containing notations such as 'massage for Andrew' which, they argue, raise serious questions. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a Democratic member of the oversight committee, accused Andrew of "hiding" from their request. "It seems like every time we find more evidence, prince Andrew seems to be in the documents," Subramanyam told The Guardian. He warned that ignoring the committee would not make the issue disappear, vowing to pursue the matter for the next year and beyond.
Legal Developments and File Release
In a significant parallel development, former US President Donald Trump performed a U-turn and signed a bill that compels the US Justice Department to release its extensive files on the Epstein investigation. This move came after it became clear he lacked sufficient support in Congress to block the release. Officials now have until December 19 to make public the huge cache of files, which could include all communications related to Epstein and information concerning the investigation into his 2019 prison suicide.
Andrew Windsor, who was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month, continues to deny any wrongdoing.
