The family of Virginia Giuffre has called on Pam Bondi, the recently dismissed US attorney general, to 'do right' by survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and give evidence to Congress. In a statement, Ms Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, and sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, said that 'alliance to a corrupt agenda never serves you'.
Ms Bondi was sacked after facing mounting criticism over the release of files on the late sex offender Epstein, who cultivated ties to wealthy and powerful figures. She had been ordered to appear before the House Oversight Committee on April 14 to answer questions about the documents, but was accused of covering up or bungling their publication.
A cross-party law passed last year required the Justice Department to release nearly all of its Epstein files, but this led to controversy over heavy redactions and the disclosure of some victims' identities. At a subsequent Congressional hearing, Ms Bondi responded to criticism with political attacks and refused to apologise or look at Epstein victims and their relatives.
The row has created a political headache for President Donald Trump and renewed focus on his past friendship with Epstein, which he has said ended decades ago. Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, had accused Prince Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager after being trafficked by Epstein. He has strongly denied this, but reached an out-of-court settlement with her in 2022.
The Epstein scandal has had far-reaching consequences in the UK, with Prince Andrew stripped of his titles by the King and Lord Peter Mandelson fired as UK ambassador to the US. Both were arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with Epstein. It also threatens to cast a shadow over the King's upcoming state visit to the US, with calls for him to meet with survivors.
