Boris Johnson Demands Epstein Island 'Powerful Men' Testify in Congress Probe
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a stark call for all the "powerful men" who visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island to provide evidence about the deceased paedophile financier. In a recent interview on Swedish television, Johnson emphasised the need for transparency, stating these individuals must "explain what they knew" regarding Epstein's operations.
Johnson's Controversial Comments and Past Remarks
During the Swedish TV appearance, Johnson was questioned about how he avoided association with Epstein. He responded with a quip, "Search me, Guv," but quickly turned serious on the matter. Johnson declared, "One thing I will say about the whole thing, I do think it's really curious that after all this time - Epstein obviously died in jail, but there's only one person who's in prison, and that's a woman."
He continued, "And all these men, all these powerful men who've been on this island or whatever, none of them have given evidence. And they should. They should explain what they knew. And I think we're squeamish about it because it's such a horrible subject, but these people need to say, the Andrew formerly known as Prince, Bill Gates, all these guys. Get them to testify. The Clintons, whatever."
This stance marks a notable shift from Johnson's 2019 radio interview, where he infamously described investigations into historic child sexual abuse as a waste of money, claiming police budgets had been "spaffed up the wall." In the Swedish interview, Johnson firmly denied ever being invited to Epstein's island, asserting, "No. Absolutely not, no. I don't appear in any way in any of this stuff."
US Congress Investigation and Peter Mandelson's Involvement
The call for testimony comes as the US Congress intensifies its probe into Epstein's network. House Democrats Suhas Subramanyam and Robert Garcia have formally invited former British ambassador Peter Mandelson to testify before the House Oversight Committee. In a letter to Mandelson, they stated he could hold "critical information" on Epstein's co-conspirators, citing his "extensive social and business ties" to the financier.
The letter reads, "Given the appalling allegations regarding Epstein's conduct, we request that you make yourself available for a transcribed interview with committee staff regarding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators." Mandelson has been given two weeks to respond to this request. Congress has also invited Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, to give evidence, though it lacks legal authority to compel either man's appearance.
Following his dismissal as Ambassador to the US last year, Lord Mandelson issued a public apology, saying, "I was wrong to believe Epstein following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered. I was never culpable or complicit in his crimes. Like everyone else I learned the actual truth about him after his death."
Ongoing Scrutiny and Legal Developments
Mandelson, 72, is currently facing a criminal investigation over allegations he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein while serving as Business Secretary under Gordon Brown during the 2008 financial crisis. The Cabinet Office has referred material to the Metropolitan Police after reviewing Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice.
This development follows a UK Government vote to publish all documents related to Mandelson's 2024 appointment, with sensitive information on national security and foreign relations being vetted by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee. Notably, while Johnson claims no direct communication with Epstein, his name appears multiple times in conversations between Epstein and former Trump aide Steve Bannon, discussing Brexit and Johnson's political manoeuvres to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister.
The escalating demands for testimony highlight growing international pressure to uncover the full extent of Epstein's connections and ensure accountability among influential figures linked to his crimes.
