Pressure is increasing on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to provide testimony regarding the Epstein files, as a recent private email exchange has surfaced discussing allegations that the former Duke of York engaged in “consensual sex” with one of Jeffrey Epstein’s staff members.
In a significant move last month, Andrew, aged 65, was stripped of his titles by his elder brother, King Charles III. All official patronages and military appointments related to the Crown were also revoked. Andrew, who no longer holds the title ‘His Royal Highness,’ has been instructed to leave Royal Lodge and move to a property within Norfolk’s Sandringham estate.
This development comes after years of controversy surrounding Andrew’s association with the late Epstein, who passed away in 2019. Notably, Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein whistleblower, accused Andrew of engaging in sexual activity with her on three separate occasions when she was a teenage victim of trafficking. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations, stating in a well-known 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis that he has no recollection of meeting Virginia.
Recent events saw US lawmakers voting overwhelmingly to release the Epstein files, shedding light on an email exchange between Epstein and former New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr, which references Andrew. The Telegraph reported that in January 2015, Epstein reached out to Thomas Jr, suggesting a potential exoneration from allegations of trafficking young women for sex.
During this period, Epstein had already pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges related to solicitation of prostitution. The email exchange indicates that Thomas Jr advised Epstein to distance himself from Andrew to potentially mitigate the ongoing media focus on their relationship.
In response to inquiries, Thomas Jr clarified that he had no firsthand knowledge of any intimate relationship between Andrew and Epstein’s employee, basing his comments on media reports. This clarification came after President Donald Trump called for an investigation into Epstein’s connection with Bill Clinton, a move disputed by Clinton Foundation representatives who stated that the released emails showed no wrongdoing by Clinton.
In light of these developments, US officials have highlighted the UK’s swift action in stripping Andrew’s titles and emphasized the need for a similar urgency in the US. There are indications that Andrew may be summoned to testify before the House of Congress. A formal deadline has been set for Andrew to respond to a letter from Representative Robert Garcia, requesting his participation in a transcribed interview regarding his ties to Epstein.
If you have experienced sexual assault, support and resources are available via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national helpline at 0808 802 9999. For sharing your story, reach out via email at julia.banim@reachplc.com.