Prime Minister says former Duke of York has a duty to the victims and should testify before US Congress
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify before US Congress, says Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor must appear before the US Congress over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister said the former Duke of York must explain his longstanding relationship with the financier.
Photos included in newly released files on the dead billionaire appear to show the former prince crouched over a woman on the floor. In the undated images, the royal appears to kneel on the ground as he leans over an unidentified woman, while another angle shows the woman’s abdomen being touched. The photos, among more than three million documents published by the US Department of Justice on Friday, have no captions, and it is not known where they were taken.
However, they will likely put further pressure on Andrew, who has faced ongoing questions over his friendship with the late financier. The royal has always denied any wrongdoing.
Other files revealed that Andrew, stripped of his royal titles over his links to the sex offender, invited Epstein for dinner at Buckingham Palace in 2010, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Asked about the latest revelations en route to Japan for a trade visit, the Prime Minister told reporters: “I have always approached this question with the victims of Epstein in mind.
“Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority. As for whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew.
“But, yes, in terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
Other files revealed that in an email exchange dated September 27, 2010, Andrew said he was travelling back from Scotland to London, where Epstein was staying.
He suggests “we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy”.
Epstein responds: “Already in London. what time woudl [sic] you like me and we will also need/ have private time.”
It is not clear whether a meeting at the palace took place.
Elsewhere in the tranche of documents, screenshots and scans appear to show the former prince agreeing to meet a “beautiful” Russian 26-year-old woman for a dinner arranged by Epstein.
Revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein ended Lord Mandelson’s time as ambassador (Image: PA)
Sir Keir also refused to comment on further revelations about Lord Mandelson, the Labour peer.
Epstein sent £10,000 to Lord Mandelson’s now-husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009, according to documents released by the US Department of Justice.
In an email to Epstein, Mr da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for “anything you can help me with”.
Epstein replies a few hours later saying: “I will wire your loan amount immediately”. The following day, Mr da Silva writes: “Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning.”
Asked for a response, Lord Mandelson said he had been “very clear” about his relationship with Epstein in interviews with the BBC.
“I have nothing more to add,” said the Labour peer.
Last month Lord Mandelson, one of the architects of Tony Blair’s New Labour, told the BBC his friendship with Epstein had been a “most terrible mistake”.
Sir Keir added: “In relation to Peter Mandelson, obviously, he was removed as ambassador in relation to the further information that came to light in September of last year. I’ve nothing more to say in relation to Peter Mandelson.”
