A crucial deadline for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to respond to a US Congressional Committee's request for an interview has now arrived, amid accusations that the former royal is deliberately avoiding cooperation with investigators.
Congressional Pressure Mounts
As the deadline passed later today, Suhas Subramanyam, one of the Democrat members of the committee investigating the Jeffrey Epstein case, claimed Andrew was 'hiding' from the US government. Speaking to LBC this morning, Subramanyam revealed: 'It seems like every time we find more documents, Andrew's name seems to appear over and over again.'
The committee member emphasised their determination to uncover the truth, stating: 'It's clear that he had a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. We just want to see the truth. If Andrew has information, we want that as well.'
Subramanyam had previously told the Guardian earlier this week that Andrew has 'been hiding', adding his belief that the former royal will continue attempting to evade 'people doing meaningful investigations of this matter'.
Financial Records Raise Questions
The committee's specific request involves questioning Andrew about his 'long-standing' friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein through a 'transcribed interview'. However, according to committee members, the response from Andrew's camp has been complete silence.
Subramanyam issued a stark warning to the former prince: 'If he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed, as we continue to pursue this over the next year and beyond.'
Among the items of particular interest to investigators are financial records mentioning Andrew, which the committee says raise 'serious questions' about the nature of his relationship with Epstein.
Background of Royal Fallout
The pressure surrounding Andrew's connections to the paedophile financier has already had severe consequences for his royal status. His brother, King Charles, stripped him of his titles and evicted him from royal residences as public scrutiny intensified.
Andrew's links to Epstein have been a target of public investigation for years, despite his vigorous denials of any wrongdoing. The situation was further complicated by allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her three times after being trafficked by Epstein as a teenager. Tragically, Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.
Limited Powers and Legal Strategy
The Congressional committee faces significant limitations in compelling Andrew's cooperation. While Congress can summon American citizens to provide testimony, its powers don't extend to foreign nationals like the former British royal.
Legal experts suggest Andrew is unlikely to voluntarily participate in any interview, particularly given the disastrous aftermath of his 2019 BBC Newsnight appearance. This pattern of avoidance mirrors his approach during the legal battle with Virginia Giuffre, where he ultimately settled out of court without admitting liability rather than submitting to a deposition.
John Burke, a former assistant district attorney in Massachusetts, provided insight into Andrew's legal calculations: 'Obviously, if he doesn't go, people are going to make assumptions about why he's not willing to go. They've already made those assumptions, and he's already lost in the court of public opinion. He wouldn't lose anything further by not going, but he risks a lot by going legally.'
The situation may change dramatically if soon-to-be-released Epstein files contain more damning evidence against Andrew, potentially forcing him into another round of damage control. For now, the former prince maintains his silence as Congressional investigators consider their next moves.
