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A US congressional body investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, previously Britain’s Prince Andrew, demanding that he participate in a deposition as part of its probe into Epstein’s criminal operations.

In a communication made public on Thursday, a lawmaker, the leading Democrat on the House investigative committee, asked that King Charles III’s younger brother cooperate with its probe.

The official demand to provide testimony arrives a week after Mountbatten Windsor was stripped of his royal title and consented to vacate his rented residence in Windsor.

Records and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name features in documents and travel logs obtained from Epstein’s estate and publicly released by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of abuse.

“The panel will probe accusations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek data on Epstein’s network, circle, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a statement.

It sought details from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his friendship with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has repeatedly categorically denied any misconduct.

Details of the Communication

“It has been documented that your association with Mr Epstein started in 1999 and that you stayed connected through and after his 2008 sentencing for trafficking underage girls for prostitution,” the letter said.

It stated further: “It has also been reported that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York property, the Queen’s residence at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s personal island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been accused of abusing young girls. This close relationship with Mr Epstein, along with the freshly uncovered 2011 email exchange in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our suspicion that you may have key insights about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A statement regarding the letter said it was supported by 13 other Democrats on the committee and requests a reply by 20 November.

Previous Remarks and Cooperation

The letter comes a week after another Democrat on the committee stated: “Andrew should be asked to appear before the panel. The people has the right to know who was harming women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the representative does not have the authority to legally require the ex-royal and Congress itself cannot compel statements from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US authorities said that Mountbatten Windsor neglected to respond to US requests for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had contacted Andrew’s lawyers to inquire on his public commitment that he was “prepared to help any appropriate law enforcement agency”.

“It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that public commitment,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided absolutely no cooperation”.

Calls for Transparency

The congressman said in a announcement that “affluent and well-connected men have evaded the law for far too long. Now, one-time Prince Andrew has the chance to be honest and provide accountability for the affected individuals. The committee will not halt advocating for accountability and transparency for those affected of Epstein and his group of partners.”

Another signatory, a Virginia Democrat, said that after hearing evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as media coverage of disclosed papers, “it is crucial that Andrew cooperates with the current inquiry. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our investigation will show that, and the affected individuals will receive long overdue justice. The monarchy’s actions removing Andrew of his titles suggest there is further to this situation.”

The letter was issued on the same day the British king officially revoked Mountbatten Windsor of his royal title. Charles III formally made the change – which had been revealed a week ago – by issuing a “official document” which the monarch’s office published in the Gazette, the UK’s government journal.