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US lawmakers wrote to Britain’s disgraced former prince Andrew on Thursday requesting he sit for an interview about his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The letter was disclosed as King Charles III formally stripped his younger brother of his titles after last week’s announcement that Andrew was being banished from the monarchy.
Sixteen Democratic Party members of Congress signed a letter asking Andrew to participate in a “transcribed interview” with the House of Representatives oversight committee investigating Epstein, who took his own life in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
“The committee is seeking to uncover the identities of Mr Epstein’s co-conspirators and enablers and to understand the full extent of his criminal operations,” the letter read.
“The substantial allegations linked to you, coupled with your enduring association with Mr. Epstein, suggest you might have insights pertinent to our inquiry into his activities.”
The letter asked Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, to respond by 20 November.
It was signed by Democrats who are in a minority in the House. US Congress also has no power to compel testimony from foreigners, making it unlikely that Andrew will give evidence.
A spokesperson for the former prince did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.
Emails recently released by the committee as well as a posthumous memoir written by Andrew’s sexual assault accuser Virginia Giuffre reignited UK anger over Andrew’s ties to Epstein.
This situation led Charles to strip Andrew of all royal titles and honors and declare that he would be evicted from his expansive 30-room residence on the royal estate in Windsor, located to the west of London.
Charles has formally made the changes with an announcement published Wednesday in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record.
Andrew has always denied that he sexually abused Giuffre, who alleged that she was trafficked to have sex with him on three occasions, twice when she was just 17.
After she launched a lawsuit against him, he paid her a multi-million-pound settlement in 2022 without making any admission of guilt.
Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen, died by suicide at her home in Australia in April.
Readers seeking support can call Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 and Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
