Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a member of the British royal family and brother of King Charles III, should testify to the US Congress about the controversial sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday, answering questions from reporters on the final day of his visit to China and Japan.
Asked whether Andrew should face questions from US lawmakers, Starmer said: "Yes. I have always said that anyone who has information should be prepared to share it - by whatever means they are asked to do so."
Starmer then added, "You can't be a victim advocate if you're not prepared to do that. Epstein's victims must be the first priority."
Starmer has previously been somewhat soft on the Epstein case. He once said that only those who have relevant information should testify (to the US Congress). Starmer commented in November that Andrew's testimony to the US Congress was "his own business". The British Prime Minister's new stance is expected to increase pressure on the former Duke of York, Andrew.
According to a BBC report, King Charles officially stripped Andrew of his "titles, titles and dignity" late last year due to his involvement in the Epstein scandal. From then on, he will be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. They have not had any contact since then.
On Friday, the US Department of Justice released more documents related to Epstein, including new embarrassing photos of Epstein with then-Prince Andrew and email correspondence between them.
The released photos show a woman lying on the floor, with Andrew leaning on her, leaning on his hands and feet. It is not known from what perspective the photos were taken. Both were dressed. It is not clear where and when the photos were taken.
Second woman's complaint
Meanwhile, another woman has accused Andrew of being forced to have sex with her. She alleges that Epstein sent her to the UK to have sex with him, the woman's lawyer told the BBC.
According to the complaint, the incident took place at Andrew's residence, Royal Lodge, in 2010. The woman is not a British citizen and was in her 20s at the time of the incident.
Brad Edwards, a lawyer at US-based law firm Edwards Henderson, is fighting the legal battle on behalf of the woman. According to the woman's account, her lawyer said that after spending the night with Andrew, she (the complainant) was shown around Buckingham Palace, where she was also treated to tea.
BBC News contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for comment. He has not yet commented on the allegations. Andrew, 65, has repeatedly denied all allegations related to the Epstein scandal.
Edwards is fighting for the legal battle on behalf of more than 200 victims of Epstein abuse around the world. He also represented Virginia Giuffre, another woman who accused Epstein of sexual assault. Giuffre alleged that she was brought to London in 2001 to have sex with Prince Andrew, a member of the British royal family. Giuffre was 17 at the time. She committed suicide last year.
On the other hand, a CNN report stated that convicted sex offender Epstein committed suicide while in prison in Manhattan, New York, on August 10, 2019.
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