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A US congressional committee probing pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he undergo a deposition as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a document released on Thursday, a US representative, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, requested that King Charles III’s brother help with its probe.

The written appeal to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was relieved of his HRH style and consented to give up his rented residence in Windsor.

Documents and Allegations

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

“The panel will investigate accusations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request data on Epstein’s operations, network, and accomplices based on the men’s long-term and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his friendship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Details of the Request

“It has been publicly reported that your relationship with Mr Epstein commenced in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 conviction for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It added: “It has also been claimed 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 assaulting minors. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, combined with the newly disclosed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further confirms our concern that you may have key insights about the crimes committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

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

Past Statements and Cooperation

The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be called to give evidence before the oversight committee. The public has the right to know who was harming women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the congressman does not have the power to compel the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot oblige testimony from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to respond to US appeals for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that authorities and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s lawyers to inquire on his previous pledge that he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.

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

Calls for Accountability

The representative said in a statement that “wealthy and influential men have escaped accountability for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver redress for the affected individuals. Oversight Democrats will not cease advocating for accountability and clarity for victims of Epstein and his gang of partners.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to accounts to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of released files, “it is essential that Andrew assists with the ongoing probe. If he is blameless, then he can prove his innocence.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our examination will demonstrate that, and the victims will receive belated justice. The monarchy’s actions stripping Andrew of his titles indicate there is more to this story.”

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