Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has intensified pressure on Buckingham Palace, demanding King Charles directly address the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The senior Labour figure has called for complete transparency regarding allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was 17 years old - allegations the Duke of York has consistently denied.
Political Pressure Mounts on Monarch
Lammy's intervention marks a significant escalation in political scrutiny of the royal family's handling of the Epstein scandal. "The King needs to address this," Lammy stated unequivocally, emphasising the need for accountability at the highest levels of the institution.
The Labour MP's comments come amidst renewed public interest in the case following the release of court documents and continued media attention on Epstein's international sex trafficking network.
Background of the Epstein-Andrew Connection
Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, has been a persistent source of controversy for the royal family. Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2019 following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview about the allegations, the Duke of York's association with Epstein continues to generate headlines.
Virginia Giuffre's civil case against Prince Andrew was settled out of court in 2022 for a reported £12 million, though the settlement included no admission of liability from the royal.
Buckingham Palace's Ongoing Challenge
The monarchy under King Charles continues to grapple with the fallout from the Epstein associations. Lammy's remarks highlight the political dimension of what many had considered primarily a public relations problem for the royal household.
"This isn't just about one individual," Lammy suggested, implying the institution itself must demonstrate it has learned from the scandal and implemented appropriate safeguards and accountability measures.
The Palace faces the delicate task of balancing traditional reserve with growing demands for transparency regarding historical associations that continue to damage the monarchy's reputation.
