Prince Andrew has received a warning that he will be called upon to testify about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before a US congressional committee that is keen on hearing from him. Stephen Lynch, a prominent member of the US House Oversight Committee investigating the ‘Epstein Files’ compiled by the FBI, expressed his interest in speaking with Andrew about his role in the situation following the release of Virginia Giuffre’s revealing posthumous memoir. Lynch stated that an invitation for Andrew to address his ties to Epstein is likely to be extended as the inquiry progresses.
In an interview with Newsnight, Congressman Lynch emphasized that the suffering endured by the women who have come forward against Epstein will further drive their interest in engaging with all individuals involved. Although Prince Andrew could be requested to provide testimony, being a British citizen means he cannot be formally subpoenaed to attend a hearing. The decision to respond to the invitation and provide evidence will be at his discretion.
Recent attention has been focused on Prince Andrew’s relationship with Epstein after the publication of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, where she reiterated allegations of being trafficked to the prince by the disgraced financier. Prince Andrew has consistently denied these accusations. The memoir detailed three alleged encounters between Giuffre and Prince Andrew, highlighting how his ill-fated Newsnight interview in 2019 fueled her legal team’s pursuit of justice against him.
Following the announcement by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to relinquish their royal titles due to ongoing accusations that are overshadowing the royal family’s work, Buckingham Palace confirmed the decision in a statement released on Friday. Prince Andrew, in consultation with The King and his family, stated his commitment to prioritize his family and country, distancing himself from public life. The statement also reiterated his denial of the allegations against him.
Amid mounting public pressure, calls have emerged for Andrew to be formally stripped of his dukedom, a decision that only the parliament can make. Additionally, there are renewed demands for Andrew to vacate the Royal Lodge in Windsor. It was revealed that Andrew has paid minimal rent for the £30 million property over more than two decades, having initially secured a 75-year lease in 2003 for £1 million, with subsequent annual rent set at “one peppercorn” if required.
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