Post by : Rameen Ariff

Once again in the spotlight, Prince Andrew is under scrutiny as US Congress members seek his assistance in an investigation concerning the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. This request follows King Charles III's recent decision to revoke all of Andrew's royal titles and expel him from royal duties.

In a letter sent to “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor,” a group of sixteen Democratic legislators have invited the former prince to undergo a “transcribed interview” with the House Oversight Committee, which is delving into Epstein’s illicit network to uncover any accomplices connected to his sex trafficking activities.

“The committee is determined to unveil the identities of Mr. Epstein’s co-conspirators and gain a deeper understanding of his criminal endeavors,” stated the letter. Lawmakers emphasized that Andrew’s previous relationship with Epstein “could provide crucial insights” for the investigation.

Signed by these sixteen Democrats, the letter requests a reply from Andrew by November 20. However, since the US Congress cannot mandate a foreign citizen to testify, the prospect of Andrew's compliance remains uncertain.

The renewed focus on Prince Andrew coincides with new evidence published by the committee and the release of a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who has accused him of sexual misconduct. These revelations have sparked public outrage in the UK, prompting decisive action from King Charles.

A formal declaration released in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, confirmed that King Charles III has stripped Andrew of all royal honours and titles. Additionally, the prince will need to vacate his luxurious 30-room residence on the Windsor estate.

Notably, Andrew has steadfastly denied Giuffre’s allegations that she was trafficked to engage in sexual relations with him at the age of 17. In 2022, he reached a settlement with Giuffre outside of court, reportedly compensating her millions of pounds without accepting any wrongdoing.

Virginia Giuffre, who held dual citizenship in the US and Australia, tragically took her own life earlier this year in Australia.

The latest developments have intensified both public and political pressure on Prince Andrew, highlighting that the ramifications of his connection with Jeffrey Epstein linger on.

#Global News #World