Senior Minister Calls for Royal Cooperation in Epstein Investigation
Communities Secretary Steve Reed has intensified pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, urging the former prince to provide testimony to the United States Congress regarding his connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The minister's comments follow the release of what he described as "very disturbing" images appearing to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor in Epstein's New York mansion.
Disturbing Images Prompt Government Response
On Friday, the US Department of Justice published more than three million documents related to the Epstein case, including photographs that have sparked significant concern. The images appear to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor crouched over a woman in an interior matching Epstein's Manhattan residence, with additional photographs suggesting physical contact between the former duke and the woman.
Mr Reed, speaking to broadcasters, expressed clear concern about the material. "I mean, what would anyone think? It's a very disturbing image and very worrying allegations," he stated during an interview with Sky News. The Cabinet minister emphasized that while he couldn't comment on hypothetical extradition scenarios, the principle remained clear that anyone with relevant information should come forward.
Cross-Atlantic Cooperation Suggested
The Communities Secretary indicated that the UK government could potentially cooperate with American authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to facilitate testimony from the King's brother. When questioned about such collaboration on Times Radio, Mr Reed responded: "Cooperation always is a good thing. But there are many ways to testify. You can testify by video link as well."
He reinforced Prime Minister Keir Starmer's position that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor "clearly has insight into what was going on, and he should testify, because the victims deserve and need him, and anybody else who may have witnessed things, to do that." The minister stressed that regardless of an individual's status or influence, the gravity of the Epstein case demanded full cooperation from all parties with relevant information.
Political Pressure Mounts on Multiple Fronts
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added to the growing political consensus, stating that Parliament should consider removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. The Conservative MP expressed full support for the Prime Minister's characterization of the former prince's silence as a failure toward Epstein's victims.
"The most recent documents released show the sheer horrifying scale of what Epstein was up to and anyone, including the former Prince Andrew, should cooperate with all the inquiries by public bodies, including the Congressional Inquiry," Mr Philp asserted. He highlighted email evidence connecting Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to Epstein even after the financier's conviction, suggesting this warranted parliamentary review of his royal status.
Background of Legal Settlements and Denials
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the Epstein scandal. The former prince was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages by King Charles last year following the posthumous publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre. In her account, Ms Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell when she was seventeen years old.
In 2022, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor settled a civil sexual assault lawsuit with Ms Giuffre for a reported multimillion-pound sum, despite maintaining he had never met the woman making the allegations. The settlement included no admission of liability from the former duke, who has repeatedly asserted his innocence regarding all accusations connected to the Epstein case.
As the political pressure continues to build, the focus remains on whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will comply with calls to provide testimony to American investigators and what form any potential cooperation between UK and US authorities might take regarding this high-profile investigation.
