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A American legislative panel probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, requesting that he participate in an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a communication made public on Thursday, a lawmaker, the top Democrat on the House investigative committee, asked that King Charles III’s sibling assist with its probe.

The written appeal to respond to queries follows a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his royal title and agreed to give up his rented residence in Windsor.

Files and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in papers and aviation records subpoenaed from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been charged by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.

“The committee will examine accusations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s operations, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s long-term and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his association with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has consistently categorically denied any impropriety.

Details of the Letter

“It has been widely reported that your association with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 conviction for procuring minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been alleged that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of abusing underage individuals. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, combined with the newly disclosed 2011 electronic correspondence in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further confirms our concern that you may have key insights about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A announcement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a response by 20 November.

Previous Remarks and Collaboration

The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be called to appear before the panel. The people has the right to know who was harming women and young girls alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not possess the authority to subpoena the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot force testimony from a non-US citizen.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to cooperate to US appeals for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s legal team to check on his public commitment that he was “prepared to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s just for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “given zero cooperation”.

Appeals for Accountability

The congressman said in a comment that “affluent and well-connected men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the opportunity to be honest and deliver accountability for the victims. The committee will not halt advocating for accountability and clarity for survivors of Epstein and his group of partners.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as public reporting of leaked documents, “it is crucial that Andrew assists with the ongoing probe. If he is innocent, then he can prove his innocence.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our probe will show that, and the victims will receive much-delayed justice. The Royal Family’s actions removing Andrew of his styles suggest there is additional to this case.”

The letter was issued on the same day the British king formally removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III officially made the change – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the crown office published in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.