British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on former Prince Andrew to testify before the US Congress regarding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that victims of the late financier must be prioritized. This demand comes amid the release of new photographs and documents from the Epstein files, which appear to show Andrew in compromising situations and have sparked renewed scrutiny.
Starmer made the remarks while returning from a visit to Japan, stating that anyone with information about Epstein should be prepared to share it in whatever form requested. He stressed that being victim-centred requires cooperation, and Epstein’s victims must come first. When asked if Andrew should apologize, Starmer said the matter was for the former prince to decide, marking a shift in the British government’s public stance on the issue.
The prime minister’s comments follow the US Justice Department’s release of over three million pages of documents, along with thousands of videos and images, as part of the ongoing Epstein investigation. Among the materials are photographs reported by BBC News that seem to depict Andrew in close physical proximity to an unidentified woman, raising further questions about his association with Epstein. The files also reveal that Epstein maintained contact with Andrew after his 2008 conviction, with references to possible private meetings in London in 2010.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. In 2022, Andrew was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages and withdrew from public duties due to the controversy surrounding his friendship with Epstein. The newly unsealed files have intensified pressure on him to cooperate with US authorities, including a request from the US House Oversight Committee for a transcribed interview, which he has so far ignored.
Beyond Andrew, the Epstein files have implicated other high-profile figures, such as billionaires Bill Gates and Elon Musk, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and Slovak official Miroslav Lajcak, who resigned after emails showed invitations from Epstein. The disclosures have revived debates about the extent of Epstein’s network and the involvement of political and business elites in his crimes, with victims’ advocates criticizing the Department of Justice for potentially identifying survivors while protecting enablers.
Starmer’s intervention highlights the international dimensions of the scandal and the growing demand for transparency and accountability. The case remains politically charged in the US, with lawmakers from both parties pushing for further investigation into Epstein’s associates. As the files continue to be analyzed, the focus is on ensuring justice for the victims and uncovering the full scope of the operations that enabled Epstein’s activities.
Moving forward, Andrew may face increased pressure to comply with congressional inquiries, and Starmer’s public stance could influence other global figures to come forward. The unfolding developments underscore the ongoing impact of the Epstein case on public trust and institutional credibility, with implications for how similar scandals are handled in the future.
