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A American legislative body investigating sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein has formally written to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, asking that he undergo a deposition as part of its inquiry into Epstein’s illegal activities.

In a communication released on Thursday, a lawmaker, the leading Democrat on the House oversight panel, requested that King Charles III’s brother assist with its inquiry.

The official demand to provide testimony comes a week after Mountbatten Windsor was lost his HRH style and opted to vacate his leased home in Windsor.

Documents and Accusations

Mountbatten Windsor’s name is listed in records and flight logs obtained from Epstein’s estate and disclosed by the committee. He has also been alleged by one of Epstein’s accusers, the late Virginia Giuffre, of sexual assault.

“The oversight committee will probe allegations of wrongdoing by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein’s operations, associates, and connections based on the men’s enduring and well-documented friendship,” the committee said in a announcement.

It requested details from Mountbatten Windsor on particulars of his association with Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019. Andrew has always vehemently rejected any misconduct.

Substance of the Request

“It has been documented that your relationship with Mr Epstein began in 1999 and that you remained close through and after his 2008 sentencing for soliciting minors for prostitution,” the letter said.

It stated further: “It has also been claimed that you journeyed with Epstein to his New York residence, the Queen’s estate at Balmoral, and to Mr Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands, where you have been charged of abusing young girls. This strong bond with Mr Epstein, combined with the newly disclosed 2011 digital communication in which you wrote to him ‘we are in this together’, further bolsters our belief that you may have important details about the offenses committed by Mr Epstein and his co-conspirators.”

A statement regarding the letter said it was co-signed by 13 other Democrats on the committee and demands a reply by 20 November.

Earlier Remarks and Cooperation

The letter follows a week after another Democrat on the committee commented: “Andrew should be called to testify before the oversight committee. The citizens deserves to know who was assaulting women and minors alongside Epstein.”

However, the lawmaker does not possess the authority to compel the former prince and Congress itself cannot oblige statements from a overseas individual.

In 2020, US officials said that Mountbatten Windsor failed to cooperate to US demands for an discussion. The then US attorney for the southern district of New York said that prosecutors and the FBI had reached out to Andrew’s legal team to inquire on his public commitment that he was “ready to help any suitable law enforcement agency”.

“It’s reasonable for people to know whether Prince Andrew has fulfilled with that pledge,” the attorney said, adding that to date he had “provided zero cooperation”.

Demands for Justice

The lawmaker said in a statement that “rich and well-connected men have escaped justice for far too long. Now, former Prince Andrew has the option to be honest and deliver redress for the victims. Oversight Democrats will not cease advocating for responsibility and openness for survivors of Epstein and his network of co-conspirators.”

Another supporter, a Virginia Democrat, said that after listening to evidence to the committee from Epstein’s victims, as well as news accounts of disclosed papers, “it is essential that Andrew works together with the ongoing investigation. If he is not guilty, then he can vindicate himself.”

The lawmaker continued: “And if not, our probe will reveal that, and the survivors will receive belated justice. The Royal Family’s actions taking away Andrew of his honors show there is further to this story.”

The letter came on the same day the British king publicly removed Mountbatten Windsor of his princely title. Charles III formally made the change – which had been announced a week ago – by issuing a “letters patent” which the royal office published in the Gazette, the UK’s official public record.