Ex-prince Andrew skips oversight committee letters on Epstein, continues to go silent

WASHINGTON, DC: The release of the Jeffrey Epstein Files has intensified scrutiny on former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, revealing continued gaps in accountability and unanswered questions about his connections to the late financier.

Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia, a Democrat, confirmed Sunday on CBS News’ 'Face the Nation' that repeated requests to interview Mountbatten-Windsor have gone unanswered.

Prince Andrew ignores repeated Oversight Committee letters

“Andrew has not responded to our panel despite multiple letters,” Garcia said. “We want to actually talk to him.” He praised UK authorities for their action in the Epstein case but noted that the former Duke of York’s silence raises concern.

Garcia called the UK’s response “stunning” and emphasized that transparency and public accountability are essential. He added that congressional subpoenas leave no reason for the documents not to be shared in full.

UK authorities review documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein

Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein victim, alleged more than a decade ago that she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to powerful men, including Mountbatten-Windsor. While he denied wrongdoing, he settled a civil case with Giuffre in 2022, reportedly paying millions.

Mountbatten-Windsor had his titles and honors removed last year due to his ties with Epstein. New disclosures suggest he may have shared confidential trade documents with Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011.

Documents indicate he sent reports on official trips to Vietnam and Singapore in 2010 and reportedly invited Epstein to stay at his Paris apartment shortly after Epstein’s 2009 release from jail. These revelations add to ongoing questions about his conduct while serving in an official government role. 

Congress pushes for full access to Epstein files

Garcia reiterated that Congress should have access to all relevant documents to ensure proper oversight. “There is no reason why Congress shouldn’t have the documents in front of us right now,” he said, pointing to gaps between legal privileges cited in the UK and the requirements of the Epstein Transparency Act in the US.

The Oversight Committee continues to press for answers as new disclosures keep shining a light on Mountbatten-Windsor’s role and the broader network surrounding Epstein.