US lawmakers press Andrew to testify on Epstein links
US lawmakers and members of Virginia Giuffre’s family are urging Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor to testify in Washington about his links to Jeffrey Epstein. In the UK, King Charles has said Buckingham Palace is “ready to support” police if asked. Andrew denies wrongdoing and settled Giuffre’s civil claim in 2022 without admitting liability. (nz.news.yahoo.com)
Speaking to the BBC, Congressman Ro Khanna said the Royal Family had “not been transparent” and should “come clean” about what they knew and what action they will take. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, who sits on the House Oversight Committee, urged the King to ask his brother to answer questions before that committee. Khanna also said the family should consider compensating survivors. (nz.news.yahoo.com)
At a Capitol event promoting “Virginia’s Law”, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Andrew “ought to show up and show up now”. Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, added that Andrew should appear “in front of our Congress and answer questions”. Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations. (uk.news.yahoo.com)
The latest release from the US Justice Department runs to more than three million pages and is available for lawmakers to review, though many documents are still redacted. Earlier records show prosecutors sought an under‑oath interview with Andrew via a formal request in 2020; it did not happen. House Democrats also set a November 2025 deadline for testimony, which went unanswered. (apnews.com)
In the UK, Thames Valley Police say they are assessing a complaint from the campaign group Republic after emails appeared to show Andrew sharing confidential briefings from his time as the UK’s trade envoy with Epstein in 2010–11. Police stress they are assessing information at this stage rather than launching a full investigation. (itv.com)
Reports describe messages that included summaries of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore, and a Christmas Eve 2010 note about investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. One email was forwarded to Epstein within minutes of being received, according to media reports citing the files. Andrew has been contacted for comment. (standard.co.uk)
What this means: US lawmakers can invite, not compel, a UK citizen to appear. A subpoena issued by Congress does not, on its own, force someone in Britain to travel. Mutual legal assistance can be used to gather evidence for criminal cases, but participation in a congressional hearing remains voluntary. (nz.news.yahoo.com)
Media literacy check: being named in the “Epstein files” is not the same as proof of misconduct. The cache includes emails, interviews and images; many items are redacted to protect victims. Advocates have criticised the approach to redactions, while Congress now has limited access to unredacted material for scrutiny. Treat raw material with care. (apnews.com)
Andrew has consistently and publicly denied wrongdoing. He reached an out‑of‑court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in 2022 with no admission of liability. Records indicate US investigators have previously sought his cooperation, but officials say their requests were not met. (nz.news.yahoo.com)
Fresh pressure has followed claims that a second woman was trafficked to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew, alongside photos-apparently taken at Epstein’s New York home-showing him kneeling over a fully clothed woman. Andrew disputes allegations and has not been charged with any offence. (theguardian.com)
Where things stand: Buckingham Palace says it will support any police inquiry; Thames Valley Police are still deciding whether to open a full investigation; and in Washington, committees are reviewing the files and signalling further hearings. Political pressure is not the same as legal compulsion, which is why process details matter here. (yahoo.com)
Classroom prompt: map the forums in play-US Congress for oversight, the US Justice Department for criminal files, UK police for criminal inquiries, and civil courts for settlements. Then ask which forum can provide answers, which can deliver accountability, and how we should evaluate evidence and allegation when reading large document dumps.