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A American legislative committee investigating sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he undergo an interview as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a letter published on Thursday, a lawmaker, the top Democrat on the House investigative committee, asked that King Charles III’s brother help with its inquiry.

The written appeal to answer questions comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his HRH style and consented to vacate his leased home in Windsor.

Records and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in records and travel logs subpoenaed from Epstein’s estate and made public by the committee. He has also been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.

“The panel will probe claims of misconduct by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s network, circle, and accomplices based on the men’s enduring and extensively reported friendship,” the committee said in a press release.

It sought information from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his friendship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has always vehemently rejected any misconduct.

Content of the Letter

“It has been documented that your association with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for sex work,” the letter said.

It stated further: “It has also been reported that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of abusing underage individuals. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, along with the freshly uncovered 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further supports our concern that you may have important details about the crimes committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”

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

Past Remarks and Cooperation

The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “Andrew should be asked to testify before the panel. The people should be able to know who was abusing women and underage individuals alongside Epstein.”

However, the representative does not possess the power to compel the former prince and Congress itself cannot force evidence from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US agencies said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to reply to US requests for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that lawyers and the FBI had reached out to Andrew’s attorneys to inquire on his previous pledge that he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.

“It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.

Calls for Accountability

The representative said in a statement that “affluent and well-connected men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the opportunity to tell the truth and deliver accountability for the affected individuals. Oversight Democrats will not stop pushing for accountability and clarity for survivors of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to accounts to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as public reporting of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew cooperates with the active investigation. If he is innocent, then he can clear his name.”

The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the survivors will receive belated accountability. The royal household’s actions removing Andrew of his honors indicate there is further to this story.”

The letter was issued on the same day the British king officially removed Mountbatten Windsor of his HRH style. Charles III officially made the adjustment – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “letters patent” which the royal office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.