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A American legislative panel looking into sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he participate in an interview as part of its investigation into Epstein’s wrongdoings.

In a letter published on Thursday, a California congressman, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, 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 relieved of his royal title and consented to give up his property in Windsor.

Records and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name appears in papers and aviation records obtained from Epstein’s estate and made public by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of misconduct.

“The oversight committee will examine allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will request data on Epstein’s network, circle, and connections based on the men’s long-term and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a press release.

It demanded particulars from Mountbatten Windsor on specifics of his friendship with Epstein, who killed himself in a New York prison cell in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly categorically denied any impropriety.

Substance of the Communication

“It has been documented that your friendship with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you continued associating through and after his 2008 guilty verdict for trafficking underage girls for commercial sex acts,” the letter said.

It continued: “It has also been reported that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York home, the Queen’s home at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of abusing underage individuals. 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 bolsters our concern that you may have important details about the crimes committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A statement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and asks a response by 20 November.

Past Statements and Collaboration

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee told: “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 representative does not hold the power to compel the duke and Congress itself cannot compel statements from a non-US citizen.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to reply to US demands for an interview. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had approached Andrew’s lawyers to follow up on his previous pledge that he was “prepared to help any relevant law enforcement agency”.

“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has honored with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided absolutely no cooperation”.

Demands for Accountability

The congressman said in a statement that “rich and influential men have avoided the law for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the option to tell the truth and deliver accountability for the survivors. We will not stop pushing for answerability and clarity for those affected of Epstein and his network of accomplices.”

Another endorser, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as media coverage of released files, “it is essential that Andrew cooperates with the current investigation. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker added: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the survivors will receive much-delayed redress. The Royal Family’s actions removing Andrew of his honors suggest there is further to this situation.”

The letter was issued on the same day the British king formally revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III officially made the adjustment – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “letters patent” which the monarch’s office made public in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.