UK Prime Minister Pressures Former Royal to Cooperate with American Lawmakers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly urged Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before the United States Congress following the release of damaging new documents. The call for cooperation comes as American investigators seek answers regarding the former royal's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Decades of Scandal Lead to Loss of Royal Status
The controversy surrounding the Duke of York has intensified steadily since his association with the disgraced financier began in 1999. Public scrutiny reached a breaking point after a disastrous 2019 interview intended to clear his name failed to address concerns, this resulted in his immediate withdrawal from public duties. King Charles III escalated the response in October 2025 by formally removing remaining royal styles and honors to protect the monarchy's reputation. The situation has now reached a critical juncture because newly unsealed files contradict previous claims that the friendship ended after the financier's initial conviction in 2008.
Fresh Evidence Prompts Renewed Demands for Transparency
The Department of Justice recently released a substantial cache of records that suggests a deeper connection between the two men than previously admitted. These files reportedly include email correspondence proving that regular contact continued for more than two years after the financier was convicted of child sex crimes in Florida. Sources indicate the release also contains photographs that depict Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in compromising situations, this has fueled further public outrage.
Political Leaders Align on Victim Justice
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that a victim-centered approach requires full transparency from anyone possessing relevant information. This statement provides significant political backing for the US House Oversight Committee, which officially requested testimony in November 2025. The former prince reportedly ignored that initial request, however, the direct intervention of the British government makes continued silence politically difficult. Lawmakers aim to use the testimony to identify co-conspirators who may have facilitated the extensive trafficking network.
Legal Complexities and Future Consequences
Compelling a foreign national to testify presents significant jurisdictional hurdles for American courts, they generally lack the authority to enforce subpoenas against individuals located overseas. Despite these legal limitations, the public demand from the United Kingdom's leader places immense moral and reputational pressure on the former duke to comply voluntarily. Legal analysts suggest that providing testimony could expose him to perjury risks or potentially trigger British authorities to reopen domestic investigations into alleged crimes committed within the UK.
Observers believe that while the former royal may attempt to resist these demands, the continuous release of evidence ensures the scandal will remain a priority for investigators. Officials urge him to schedule a transcribed interview immediately to address the unresolved questions from survivors and justice advocates.
