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A US congressional panel looking into pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he participate in an interview as part of its investigation into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a document released on Thursday, a US representative, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, urged that King Charles III’s younger brother cooperate with its inquiry.

The formal request to answer questions arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his royal title and agreed to give up his rented residence in Windsor.

Files and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in documents and flight logs secured 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 sexual assault.

“The panel will investigate accusations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request details on Epstein’s activities, network, and accomplices based on the men’s enduring and thoroughly recorded friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It demanded details from Mountbatten Windsor on details of his relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly strongly denied any impropriety.

Details of the Communication

“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 conviction for procuring minors for sex work,” the letter said.

It added: “It has also been alleged that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of assaulting 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 confirms our belief that you may have valuable information about the wrongdoings committed by Mr Epstein and his accomplices.”

A announcement regarding the letter said it was co-signed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and asks a answer by 20 November.

Past Comments and Cooperation

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be asked to testify before the committee. The people should be able to know who was abusing women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the lawmaker does not hold the authority to subpoena the duke and Congress itself cannot oblige evidence from a foreign national.

In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor did not reply 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 relevant 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 “offered no cooperation”.

Demands for Justice

The representative said in a announcement that “rich and well-connected men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the option to come clean and provide justice for the affected individuals. The committee will not stop advocating for answerability and clarity for victims of Epstein and his network of partners.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as media coverage of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew works together with the active inquiry. If he is blameless, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker stated further: “And if not, our probe will show that, and the survivors will receive long overdue justice. The royal household’s actions taking away Andrew of his honors suggest there is additional to this case.”

The letter was sent on the same day the British king officially removed Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III officially made the alteration – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the royal office released in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.