US Congressman calls for investigation of Prince Andrew over Epstein ties
Republican Thomas Massie urges the Department of Justice to release documents and prosecute individuals linked to Jeffrey Epstein
Quick Look
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has publicly called for the investigation and prosecution of Prince Andrew, alleging his involvement in crimes linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, while demanding the release of withheld government documents.
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Why It Matters
Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who died in prison while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Prince Andrew has previously settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre without admitting liability.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be investigated and prosecuted for sex crimes in the US, Congress has been told.
The disgraced former prince was among a list of names read out by senior Republican Thomas Massie on the floor of the House of Representatives, who he described as “co-conspirators” of paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The congressman is pressing for the release of millions of documents relating to the late child sex offender he claims continue to be withheld by Donald Trump’s administration.
He argued the publication would bring “accountability to the (US) Department of Justice, and closure for survivors”.
Speaking in the House , Mr Massie said: “We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted.”
One of the names he listed was “Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States too”.
He added: “Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering justice.”
Both Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and the federal department have been contacted for comment.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled as a suicide.
His accomplice, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the US for luring young girls for Epstein to sexually abuse.
Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, had accused Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager after being trafficked by Epstein.
He has strongly denied this.
In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with her, in which no admission of liability was made. despite claiming never to have met her.
The King last year stripped his brother of his royal titles after fresh revelations about his Epstein ties and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was forced to leave his Windsor mansion and move to the monarch’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Back in 2011 he stepped down as trade envoy, where he earned the nickname “Air Miles Andy” for his lavish globetrotting, amid controversy over his continued friendship with Epstein, who cultivated ties to wealthy and powerful figures.
The former royal has faced continued calls to give evidence to Congress.
The scandal also saw Lord Peter Mandelson fired as UK ambassador to the US.
Both were arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with Epstein.
They were subsequently released under investigation and deny any wrongdoing.
The Epstein controversy and row over the release of official documents has also been a political headache for the US president, putting a spotlight on his past friendship with the sex predator, which he has said ended decades ago.
In April, US first lady Melania Trump made a rare public statement at the White House to strongly deny “false smears” linking her to Epstein.
Open Questions
- Will the Department of Justice release the requested documents?
- Will Prince Andrew be formally investigated by US authorities?
