Keir Starmer has reignited pressure on Prince Andrew to cooperate with a US congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, urging those implicated in child sex offenses to come forward. The Prime Minister's comments came after the Duke of York failed to respond to an interview request from the House Oversight Committee, prompting a scathing response from two Democratic members.
In a statement, Starmer emphasized that individuals with "relevant information" should share it, even if they have had interactions with Epstein or are accused of wrongdoing. While he declined to comment on Prince Andrew's specific case, his general stance is clear: those with knowledge should not hide behind anonymity.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating Epstein's sex trafficking charges, which led to the death of the financier in 2019 while awaiting trial. The committee had asked Prince Andrew for an interview and set a deadline of November 20th, but he has thus far remained silent.
Two Democrats on the committee, Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam, have criticized Prince Andrew's absence, stating that his silence speaks volumes about his involvement in Epstein's crimes. They vowed to continue their investigation, regardless of whether Prince Andrew cooperates or not.
The situation is complex, as the Republicans who chair the committee are unlikely to issue a subpoena without backing from the majority. The party's chairman, James Comer, has not indicated whether he would force Prince Andrew to testify, given the sensitive nature of the case and President Donald Trump's involvement.
Earlier this week, Trump signed into law the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the attorney general to release documents related to the government's handling of his case within 30 days. If Congress were to issue a subpoena for Prince Andrew, he could potentially avoid legal penalties by not traveling to the US.
The investigation and its implications for Prince Andrew remain a contentious issue, with Starmer's comments highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in cases involving child sex offenses.
In a statement, Starmer emphasized that individuals with "relevant information" should share it, even if they have had interactions with Epstein or are accused of wrongdoing. While he declined to comment on Prince Andrew's specific case, his general stance is clear: those with knowledge should not hide behind anonymity.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating Epstein's sex trafficking charges, which led to the death of the financier in 2019 while awaiting trial. The committee had asked Prince Andrew for an interview and set a deadline of November 20th, but he has thus far remained silent.
Two Democrats on the committee, Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam, have criticized Prince Andrew's absence, stating that his silence speaks volumes about his involvement in Epstein's crimes. They vowed to continue their investigation, regardless of whether Prince Andrew cooperates or not.
The situation is complex, as the Republicans who chair the committee are unlikely to issue a subpoena without backing from the majority. The party's chairman, James Comer, has not indicated whether he would force Prince Andrew to testify, given the sensitive nature of the case and President Donald Trump's involvement.
Earlier this week, Trump signed into law the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the attorney general to release documents related to the government's handling of his case within 30 days. If Congress were to issue a subpoena for Prince Andrew, he could potentially avoid legal penalties by not traveling to the US.
The investigation and its implications for Prince Andrew remain a contentious issue, with Starmer's comments highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in cases involving child sex offenses.