Fresh Calls for Criminal Investigation into Prince Andrew Following Epstein Document Release
Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, has issued a forceful demand for the Metropolitan Police to reopen its criminal investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York. This demand follows the latest substantial release of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice.
Massive Trove of Evidence Released
On Friday, US authorities made public their largest tranche yet of previously restricted files from the investigation into the secretive financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The release comprises over 3 million pages of documents, alongside 180,000 images and 2,000 videos. The former Duke of York features prominently within this extensive archive.
Among the newly revealed materials are images depicting Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman with his hand placed on her abdomen. The files also include emails in which Epstein offered to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman. Furthermore, there are alleged messages inviting the convicted sex offender to Buckingham Palace for dinner, an invitation extended barely a month after Epstein's release from house arrest.
Eden's Direct Appeal on Palace Reacts
Joining growing calls for the disgraced royal to face renewed scrutiny, Eden used his platform on the show Palace Reacts to demand that Andrew be formally interviewed under caution by police. The core of Eden's demand relates to allegations first reported by the Mail on Sunday in October 2025. These allegations suggest that in 2011, Andrew emailed the Queen's Deputy Press Secretary, providing Virginia Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his protection officer for investigation.
'The request on its own offers potential grounds for legal action, both in the UK and US,' Eden stated. 'The idea that public resources might have been used to blacken the name of a victim of sexual exploitation is abhorrent.'
He emphasised the broader implications for justice, arguing: 'Not only does it demand the urgent attention of the police – but it also needs to be seen to be investigated. Many survivors of the most appalling abuse feel unsafe coming forward to the authorities – and we cannot have a situation where even the suspicion exists that elite members of society have the power to have victims targeted for investigation by serving police officers. That is how justice fails, and perpetrators walk free to abuse again.'
History of Police Reviews and Denials
The Metropolitan Police has reviewed allegations against Prince Andrew on multiple occasions since 2016. However, it has never proceeded to open a formal criminal investigation into the matter. The former prince has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. In 2022, he settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre out of court, doing so without admitting any liability.
Further Demands for Accountability
Beyond the police investigation, Eden made additional demands for accountability. He called on Andrew to provide a full voluntary statement under oath, detailing his 12-year relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Eden also directed a stark appeal to King Charles III, urging the monarch to completely sever Andrew's access to any public funds.
'The stripping of Andrew's titles looks more and more like a slap on the wrist,' Eden argued. 'Practically every day, we see Andrew riding horses around Windsor - who's paying for that? His allowance - who's paying for that? Enough is enough. Cut him off. King Charles, this is my demand of you. Because if there's a single, solitary penny of tax-payer's money going to that man, it is more than he could ever deserve and more than the people could ever stomach.'
The release of these documents has reignited public and media scrutiny, placing fresh pressure on both the royal family and British law enforcement to address the longstanding questions surrounding Prince Andrew's associations.
