Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly intervened in the ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's connections to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. During a press briefing in Japan, the final leg of his East Asian tour, Starmer suggested that the former Duke of York "should be prepared" to provide testimony before the United States Congress regarding his relationship with Epstein.
New Evidence Fuels Congressional Calls
Starmer's comments follow the latest release of documents by the US Department of Justice, which once again feature Andrew in relation to the Epstein case. Among the materials are images purportedly showing a man, believed to be Andrew, in a compromising position with an unnamed woman. These revelations have intensified pressure from American lawmakers for his cooperation.
A Victim-Centred Approach
Emphasising a "victim-centred" methodology, the Prime Minister stated that anyone possessing relevant information must be willing to share it to aid the investigation. "Epstein's victims have to be the first priority," Starmer declared, adding that while the decision to apologise rests with Andrew himself, testifying is crucial for transparency and justice.
Mandelson's Involvement Revisited
The document release also sheds new light on the involvement of Lord Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the US who was dismissed last year after his continued contact with Epstein emerged. Correspondence revealed discussions between Epstein and Mandelson's husband regarding a £10,000 payment for attendance at the British School of Osteopathy.
When questioned about whether this transaction met the expected standards of a peer, Starmer declined to elaborate further, noting only that Mandelson had been removed from his ambassadorial role following the disclosure of additional information in September.
Congressional Summons and Public Reaction
Andrew was formally summoned by the US Congress in November to testify as part of the Epstein investigation. Democratic members of the House oversight committee argue that his "longstanding and well-documented friendship" with Epstein positions him as a key witness with potentially vital insights.
Representative Suhas Subramanyam emphasised the necessity of Andrew's cooperation, stating that it would either exonerate him or ensure justice for the victims. This development occurs against the backdrop of Virginia Giuffre's posthumously published memoir, which alleges sexual encounters with Andrew when she was a teenager, further complicating the scandal.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but the persistence of these allegations and the ongoing congressional interest underscore the enduring impact of the Epstein affair on both sides of the Atlantic.
