Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the Duke of York should testify before the US Congress about his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking during a visit to Japan, Starmer said anyone with information should share it, adding that Epstein's victims must be the priority.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, stripped of his royal titles last year, features prominently in the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department. The documents include a photograph appearing to show him crouching over a woman on the floor, as well as emails indicating he invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace in 2010, two years after Epstein's conviction for soliciting minors.
Last year US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam requested a deposition from Andrew, accusing him of hiding from investigators. Starmer declined to say whether Andrew should apologise, stating that was a matter for him, but reiterated that giving evidence was necessary.
Newly released emails show that in 2010 Epstein suggested Andrew meet a 26-year-old Russian woman, to which Andrew responded he would be 'delighted'. Later that year, a dinner in Andrew's honour was arranged at Epstein's New York home, attended by figures including Woody Allen. The documents also include emails from Andrew to Ghislaine Maxwell, signed 'Love you A xxx'.
Andrew paid a reported £12m settlement to Virginia Giuffre in 2022, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him after being trafficked by Epstein. He has denied wrongdoing. Former wife Sarah Ferguson also maintained ties with Epstein, receiving £15,000 from him. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on further charges.
