British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has urged Prince Andrew to testify before the US Congress regarding his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
CONTENT:
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has been under renewed scrutiny following the release of new photographs that appear to show him with Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre in 2001. In response to these developments, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom, has called on the prince to testify before the US Congress regarding his relationship with Epstein.
According to a report by The Guardian, Starmer commented, "If Prince Andrew has information that could help the investigation into Epstein and his associates, then he should come forward and provide it to the authorities." Starmer's statement came after the publication of photographs that allegedly show Andrew with Giuffre at the London home of Epstein's friend, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The release of these photographs has revived interest in the allegations against Prince Andrew, which first surfaced in 2019. At that time, the prince vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed that he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre. However, the new photographs have added fuel to the controversy and raised further questions about the prince's connections to Epstein and his inner circle.
The US Congress is currently conducting an investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking ring and the role of various individuals, including Epstein's associates, in facilitating his crimes. The inquiry is being led by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, chaired by Representative Carolyn Maloney.
In a statement, Maloney said, "As part of our ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring, the Oversight Committee is seeking documents and testimony from individuals who may have information relevant to our inquiry." Maloney added that the committee was "eager to hear from anyone with information that could help us better understand the scope and scale of Epstein's crimes."
Prince Andrew's potential testimony would undoubtedly be a significant development in the investigation and could shed light on his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell. However, it remains to be seen whether the prince will heed Starmer's call and cooperate with the US authorities.
Sources:
The Guardian: "Keir Starmer urges Prince Andrew to testify to US Congress over Jeffrey Epstein links" (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/10/keir-starmer-urges-prince-andrew-to-testify-to-us-congress-over-jeffrey-epstein-links)
House Oversight and Reform Committee: "Oversight of the Jeffrey Epstein Case" (https://oversight.house.gov/investigations/oversight-of-the-jeffrey-epstein-case)