UK PM
Keir Starmer says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify to US Congress as
new Epstein files surface, renewing scrutiny of past ties again.!!
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses questions after new Epstein-related files renewed calls for testimony before US Congress.
LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM.— Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be prepared to testify before the United
States Congress over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. The
comments follow the release of new US court files that include images and
emails linked to Epstein. Starmer framed his remarks around the importance of
prioritising victims and transparency. The renewed attention places fresh
pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor amid ongoing international scrutiny.
Starmer’s
Call Framed Around Victims and Accountability
Starmer’s
remarks were made in response to reporters after the release of additional
Epstein-related documents by the US Department of Justice. While
stopping short of issuing a direct order, the prime minister emphasised a
principle he said should apply universally: anyone with relevant information
should be willing to share it with investigators.
He argued
that a victim-centred approach requires openness, particularly in cases
involving sexual exploitation. According to Starmer, Epstein’s victims “have to
be the first priority,” a statement that aligns with broader international
expectations around accountability in abuse cases.
The comments mark a notable shift in tone compared with November, when Starmer said a congressional invitation for Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions was a personal matter. The latest disclosures appear to have altered the political context, increasing pressure on public figures connected to Epstein to address unresolved questions.
Newly
Released Images and What Is Known
The
latest tranche of files includes images that appear to show Andrew
Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over an unidentified, fully clothed woman lying on
the ground. In some photographs, he is seen touching her stomach; in another,
he appears to look directly at the camera.
No
official context accompanies the images, and there is no allegation of criminal
behaviour arising from them. Verification work by BBC Verify indicates
that the setting resembles the interior of Epstein’s New York townhouse, based
on décor comparisons with previously published photographs.
The
absence of contextual detail has limited conclusions that can be drawn. Legal
experts note that being depicted in such images does not, in itself, constitute
evidence of wrongdoing, a caveat repeatedly emphasised by investigators and
journalists.
Congressional
Interest and the Scope of the Inquiry
Democratic
members of the House Judiciary Committee requested in November that
Mountbatten-Windsor answer questions as part of their investigation into
Epstein’s network. The inquiry focuses on how Epstein maintained relationships
with prominent figures even after his 2008 conviction.
Lawmakers
have argued that testimony from high-profile associates could clarify gaps in
understanding about Epstein’s influence and activities. While participation is
voluntary for non-US citizens, refusal can carry reputational consequences,
particularly when public accountability is emphasised.
The
committee has also questioned why only a portion of the estimated
Epstein-related material has been released so far, calling the need to review
remaining files “urgent” ahead of a planned public hearing with US Attorney
General Pam Bondi.
Emails,
Invitations, and Post-Conviction Contact
Separate
emails included in the latest release suggest Epstein invited
Mountbatten-Windsor to meet a 26-year-old woman in 2010, two years after
Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor. The correspondence shows polite
but cautious exchanges, with Mountbatten-Windsor asking whether additional
information about the woman might be “useful to know.”
The
emails do not allege illegal conduct, and the BBC News has reported that
they contain no indication of criminal activity. Nevertheless, the timing—after
Epstein’s conviction—has renewed questions about judgment and awareness among
his associates.
Mountbatten-Windsor
has consistently said he did not witness or suspect behaviour that later led to
Epstein’s arrest and conviction. His representatives have been approached for
comment on the latest disclosures.
Loss of
Titles and Long-Running Scrutiny
Formerly
known as Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of
his remaining royal titles in October following sustained scrutiny of his links
to Epstein. The decision reflected years of reputational damage to the monarchy
and public unease over unresolved questions.
The
latest images and emails are likely to intensify that scrutiny, even as legal
responsibility remains unproven. Analysts note that reputational consequences
often extend beyond legal findings, particularly for figures associated with
institutions built on public trust.
Buckingham
Palace has previously distanced itself from Mountbatten-Windsor’s actions,
emphasising that he no longer undertakes public duties on behalf of the Crown.
Financial
Links Involving Sarah Ferguson
The document
release also appears to show Epstein providing financial assistance over many
years to Sarah Ferguson, Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife. Emails from
2009 reference business ideas discussed after meetings arranged through Epstein
and include a request for £20,000 to cover rent.
In one
message, Ferguson thanked Epstein for being “the brother I have always wished
for.” Other correspondence suggests Epstein later sought her help in publicly
defending him against allegations, including drafting a statement asserting he
was “not a pedo.”
Ferguson
has been approached for comment. The emails, while ethically troubling to some
observers, do not in themselves establish criminal conduct.
Mandelson
Questions and Political Fallout
Attention
has also turned to Peter Mandelson, whose partner received £10,000 from
Epstein in 2009 for an osteopathy course, according to released documents.
Mandelson, who briefly served as the UK’s ambassador to the US before being
removed in 2025, has said he has been clear about his relationship with
Epstein.
Starmer
confirmed that Mandelson’s removal as ambassador followed further information
that emerged last year. He declined to comment further, underscoring the
political sensitivity surrounding any association with Epstein.
The episode
highlights how Epstein’s financial reach intersected with political and social
circles on both sides of the Atlantic.
What the
Latest Release Means Going Forward
More than
2,000 videos and 180,000 images are included in the latest release, many heavily
redacted. Investigators and lawmakers stress that appearing in the files does
not imply guilt, a point reiterated to avoid prejudging individuals without
evidence.
However,
the scale of the material suggests that further disclosures are likely. For Mountbatten-Windsor,
the question of whether to testify before Congress now carries heightened
significance, not only legally but morally, as public expectations around
transparency and accountability continue to evolve.
By Amelia Grant | CRNTimes.com | London