Andrew Should Give Evidence to epstein Committee, Starmer Suggests
LONDON - Labor leader Keir Starmer has indicated that Prince Andrew should cooperate wiht the ongoing inquiry into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, stating the Duke of york has a duty to provide evidence. The call comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with Epstein and Virginia Giuffre,and follows the Prince’s recent relinquishment of his remaining titles.
The suggestion places further pressure on Andrew, who has faced years of controversy surrounding his ties to the convicted sex offender. While he settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre in 2022 – without admitting wrongdoing - the case and his prior visits to Epstein’s private island, Little St James, continue to generate public and political debate. The Labour government last month dismissed calls for a parliamentary debate on stripping Andrew of his dukedom,citing the royal family’s focus on “other crucial issues.”
Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with Epstein has been a persistent issue for over five years. He paid an out-of-court settlement to Virginia Giuffre in 2022 after she accused him of sexual assault and rape. Giuffre died by suicide in April.
In January, Andrew stepped down from all royal duties in 2019 and renounced his remaining titles last month, with the agreement of King Charles, due to concerns within Buckingham Palace that his personal life was overshadowing the monarchy’s work. A statement released at the time from Mountbatten-Windsor maintained his denial of the accusations against him, stating he would “no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.”
