In a significant revelation, it has emerged that Dame Priti Patel, during her tenure as Home Secretary in 2020, blocked a formal request from United States authorities to question Prince Andrew over his connections to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Daily Mirror has obtained documents showing that the US Department of Justice sought to compel the former Duke of York to provide testimony under oath regarding his relationship with Epstein.
US Request for Mutual Legal Assistance
Under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT), the US sent a "Request for Assistance" to the UK Home Office. This document stated that FBI agents possessed documentary evidence suggesting Prince Andrew had knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities. The request explicitly asked that if he declined a voluntary interview, UK authorities should conduct a compelled interview of the witness under oath.
Patel's Decision to Block the Request
The Daily Mirror can confirm that this interview never took place because the request was blocked by Ms Patel, who now serves as shadow foreign secretary. When questioned about her role in denying the request, a Conservative Party spokesman indicated that government legal advisers played a crucial role in shaping the response. The spokesman added that further information about Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein has since become public, and it is appropriate that he now faces scrutiny from authorities.
The FBI was investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell at the time, over allegations she trafficked women for Epstein. Geoffrey Berman, the former US attorney who led the investigation, has previously accused UK authorities of shielding Prince Andrew, noting that MLAT requests typically received cooperation but "that was not what happened with Prince Andrew."
Processing of the MLAT Request
Under the treaty, countries can request cooperation to secure testimony from witnesses abroad, potentially through court orders. A specialist unit of Home Office civil servants processed the request, with the final decision resting with the Home Secretary. It is understood that following their recommendation, Patel made the ruling to refuse assistance.
Ongoing Investigations and Political Context
Details of the UK's refusal emerge as Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley visits the US to seek access to uncensored material from the Epstein files. UK detectives believe these files may contain evidence about Prince Andrew and former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson's links to Epstein. Both men have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following the release of files showing they shared sensitive information with Epstein, though they deny any wrongdoing.
Detectives are also assessing sexual allegations from the files to determine if a fresh criminal inquiry is warranted. Virginia Giuffre, who died last year, alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to sleep with Prince Andrew when she was 17, a claim he has repeatedly denied.
Link to Harry Dunn Case
Lawyer Radd Seiger, representing the family of Harry Dunn, told the Mirror that Patel informed him in January 2020 she would not allow the US to interview Prince Andrew unless Anne Sacoolas was sent to the UK over Dunn's death. Seiger expressed regret, stating the cases should not have been conflated and that Prince Andrew should assist US authorities. Sacoolas later admitted death by careless driving after Dunn died in a crash outside a US military base in 2019.
Prince Andrew's Reluctance and Legal Correspondence
Files released by the US Department of Justice this year reveal email correspondence showing Prince Andrew's legal team was reluctant to agree to an interview as part of the Maxwell investigation, preferring a written statement. Maxwell was jailed for 20 years for sex-trafficking in 2022.
The 2020 MLAT request noted evidence that Prince Andrew engaged in "sexual conduct involving one of Epstein's victims" but emphasised he was treated as a witness, not a suspect, with no evidence gathered of crimes under US law.
Home Office Response
A Home Office spokesperson stated it is "wholly inaccurate" to suggest non-compliance with legal obligations, affirming commitment to providing mutual legal assistance objectively and impartially. The spokesperson added that thoughts remain with Epstein's victims, and the government will ensure accountability is delivered.
