UK PM Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify Before US Congress on Epstein Links
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly called for the former Prince Andrew to appear before a United States congressional committee to provide testimony regarding his connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This demand comes in the wake of newly released documents from the US justice department that shed further light on Andrew's association with Epstein.
New Revelations from Epstein Documents
The US justice department published a series of files on Friday, which included emails indicating that King Charles's brother maintained regular contact with Epstein for over two years after Epstein was found guilty of child sex crimes. These communications highlight a sustained relationship that has raised significant questions about Andrew's involvement and knowledge of Epstein's activities.
Additionally, the released files contain photographs that appear to show Prince Andrew in a compromising position. In these images, Andrew is seen crouching over and touching the waist of an unidentified woman lying on the floor. The woman's face was obscured in the redacted versions of the pictures, adding to the mystery and controversy surrounding the scene.
Fresh Allegations Surface
In a separate development, the BBC reported on Sunday that a US lawyer, Brad Edwards from the firm Edwards Henderson, has come forward with new allegations. According to the report, a woman, who is not British and was in her 20s at the time, claims she was sent by Epstein to Britain for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew in 2010. This alleged meeting is said to have taken place at a royal property within the Windsor Castle estate.
This represents the second instance where a woman has been flown from the US to Britain to meet Andrew, following similar claims made by Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser of Epstein. Giuffre alleged that she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, a claim he has consistently denied.
Andrew's Response and Past Settlements
Representatives for Prince Andrew, who has always denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters regarding the BBC report. Reuters has also sought a statement from Brad Edwards, the lawyer representing the unidentified woman in the latest allegations.
In 2022, Andrew made an undisclosed financial settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed against him in the US by Virginia Giuffre. Tragically, Giuffre died by suicide in April of that year. Despite the settlement, Andrew, now 65, continues to deny the veracity of Giuffre's account and any involvement in Epstein's criminal activities.
Political Pressure Mounts
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking to reporters while en route to Japan after a four-day visit to China, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability. He stated that Prince Andrew should appear before US lawmakers to explain everything he knows about Epstein, as this could provide crucial information to help the victims of Epstein's crimes.
This call from Starmer aligns with intensified efforts by members of a US congressional committee investigating the Epstein case. In November, these lawmakers renewed their demands for Andrew to answer questions, underscoring the growing international pressure for him to cooperate with the ongoing inquiry.
The unfolding situation highlights the complex web of allegations and the persistent quest for justice in the Epstein scandal, with Prince Andrew remaining a central figure in the controversy.
