London, UK – Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that Britain’s former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify in the United States about his ties to the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as fresh disclosures reignite pressure on the disgraced royal.
Renewed Scrutiny
The US Justice Department on Friday released a new batch of files related to Epstein’s case, including embarrassing photographs of Andrew and emails exchanged between him and Epstein in 2010—two years after Epstein had pleaded guilty in Florida to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The undated images show Andrew in compromising poses with a woman, while the emails feature Epstein proposing that Andrew meet a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman.
Starmer’s Call
Asked during an official visit to China and Japan whether Andrew should testify before US lawmakers, Starmer was unequivocal:
“I’ve always said anybody that [has] got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that,” the Prime Minister told reporters.
US lawmakers have repeatedly demanded Andrew face questions in Congress about his association with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Royal Fallout
Andrew, 65, has long been dogged by his ties to Epstein. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after public outrage over their relationship. Last October, King Charles III stripped him of his remaining titles and honours following the publication of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser who alleged she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew three times, including twice when she was 17.
Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing. In 2022, he reached a multi-million-pound settlement with Giuffre in a civil lawsuit, without admitting guilt.
Windsor Exit
The latest disclosures come as Andrew is reportedly preparing to leave his 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate after being ousted by King Charles. UK media photographed him driving on the grounds on Saturday, underscoring the mounting scrutiny.
Emails and “Private Time”
Among the newly released documents are August 2010 emails in which Epstein, addressing Andrew as “The Duke,” suggested introducing him to a Russian woman. Andrew replied he “would be delighted to see her.”
Weeks later, Epstein and Andrew discussed having dinner at Buckingham Palace, with Andrew promising “lots of privacy” and inviting Epstein to “come with whomever.”
Although Andrew claimed in a 2019 BBC interview that he cut ties with Epstein after December 2010, court documents later revealed he continued to communicate with him.
Congressional Pressure
Last November, 16 Democratic members of Congress signed a letter urging Andrew to participate in a “transcribed interview” with the House Oversight Committee investigating Epstein. To date, Andrew has given no indication he is willing to comply.
Conclusion
The latest revelations intensify calls for accountability, with Prime Minister Starmer’s remarks adding political weight to demands that Andrew testify in the US. As the scandal continues to unfold, the former Duke of York faces renewed public and political pressure to confront questions about his ties to Epstein.
