Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that Prince Andrew, stripped of his royal titles last year, should testify before the US Congress regarding his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking during a visit to Japan, Starmer emphasised the importance of prioritising Epstein's victims and urged anyone with information to cooperate with investigations.
Andrew features prominently in the latest batch of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department. The documents include images and emails suggesting he maintained contact with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting minors. One email indicates Andrew invited Epstein to Buckingham Palace in 2010, two years after Epstein's conviction.
US Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat on the oversight committee, has sought a deposition from Andrew, accusing him of avoiding scrutiny. Starmer declined to comment on whether Andrew should apologise but stressed that all individuals with relevant knowledge should provide testimony.
The released files also reveal that Andrew continued to send family photos to Epstein and exchanged messages with Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was forced to have sex with him, paying £12 million without admitting liability.
