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A US congressional committee looking into pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he participate in an interview as part of its probe into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a letter released on Thursday, a lawmaker, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, requested that King Charles III’s brother assist with its probe.

The formal request to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his princely title and consented to vacate his property in Windsor.

Records and Allegations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in records and aviation records subpoenaed from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been accused by one of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.

“The oversight committee will investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will demand information on Epstein’s operations, circle, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a press release.

It sought information from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his friendship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has always categorically denied any misconduct.

Substance of the Communication

“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 conviction for trafficking underage girls for prostitution,” the letter said.

It added: “It has also been reported that you went with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s secluded island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of abusing young girls. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, coupled with the freshly uncovered 2011 electronic correspondence in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our suspicion that you may have valuable information about the wrongdoings 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 asks a answer by 20 November.

Earlier Comments and Assistance

The letter arrives a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be called to give evidence before the committee. The citizens has the right to know who was assaulting women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the lawmaker does not hold the power to subpoena the former prince and Congress itself cannot oblige evidence from a non-US citizen.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to cooperate to US appeals for an meeting. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had approached Andrew’s attorneys to check on his public commitment that he was “ready to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.

“It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that assurance,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided no cooperation”.

Appeals for Accountability

The congressman said in a comment that “affluent and well-connected men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, ex- Prince Andrew has the opportunity to tell the truth and deliver accountability for the affected individuals. The committee will not cease advocating for accountability and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his gang of accomplices.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to evidence to the committee from Epstein’s survivors, as well as media coverage of released files, “it is crucial that Andrew cooperates with the active probe. If he is innocent, then he can clear his name.”

The lawmaker added: “And if not, our examination will demonstrate that, and the survivors will receive belated accountability. The monarchy’s actions removing Andrew of his styles show there is more to this story.”

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