According to reports, US authorities have officially asked that Prince Andrew be made available for interrogation as a witness in an investigation into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The US Department of Justice has submitted a formal request to speak with Prince Andrew as part of its Epstein investigation, according to the Sun.
Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, was accused of failing to answer to prior Justice Department enquiries regarding his connection with Epstein, who was found dead of an apparent suicide while in jail last August facing accusations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
The request for Prince Andrew’s evidence was made under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, or MLAT, which is equivalent to a subpoena in this situation.
An MLA is a way of enlisting the help of another state in a criminal investigation or prosecution.
Due to the crisis surrounding his connection with Epstein and claims that he had sexual contacts with a 17-year-old girl approximately 20 years ago, Queen Elizabeth’s second son stepped aside from public duties in November.
The BBC’s royal reporter Jonny Dymond confirmed reports that US officials had made a mutual legal assistance (MLA) request to the Home Office, however neither the US Department of Justice nor the UK Home Office has acknowledged this.
Officials say it’s an unusual step to request an interview through MLAT, and it’s all about making sure the inquiry is as comprehensive as possible.
Last year, Prince Andrew stated that he would be “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required”
Despite the commitment to help, US Attorney Geoffrey Berman claimed in March that the prince had supplied information “”Zero cooperation” and “shut the door on voluntary cooperation” to the FBI, accordingly. Berman stated that his department is “considering its options.””
“Contrary to Prince Andrew’s very public offer to co-operate with our investigation into Epstein’s co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options,” Mr Berman added.
On Monday, Prince Andrew’s attorneys reacted, claiming that they had offered his assistance as a witness at least three times this year.
“The Duke of York has on at least three occasions this year offered his assistance as a witness to the DOJ,” Blackfords, the London-based law company representing Andrew, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the DOJ has reacted to the first two offers by breaching their own confidentiality rules and claiming that the Duke has offered zero cooperation. In doing so, they are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance proffered,” the statement said.
Andrew has denied having sex with Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She claims that Epstein compelled her to have sex with the prince, and that the encounters took place in London, New York, and the United States Virgin Islands.
The duke’s legal team was furious over the request being leaked, according to a BBC journalist, with a source characterizing it as “an extraordinary breach of confidentiality”
A detailed announcement with information concerning Prince Andrew’s cooperation with US legal authorities is forthcoming later.
The duke was a close friend of the disgraced banker and frequented his homes, including the American’s house in New York.
The duke has previously stated that he seen no unusual behavior during trips to Epstein’s houses.
If Andrew’s MLAT request is granted, US authorities may be forced to take him to court to testify under oath.
