Andrew faces being stripped of final honor
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has come under fire by US investigators for his 'silence' amid their inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein , as the former Prince looks set to be stripped of his final honour. Members of the House Oversight Committee had requested a 'transcribed interview' with the former prince in connection with his 'long-standing friendship' with the financier, who took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sexual trafficking and conspiracy charges. But after saying they had not heard from him, Democrats Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam accused Andrew of hiding.
Their statement read: 'Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's silence in the face of the Oversight Democrat 's demand for testimony speaks volumes. 'The documents we've reviewed, along with public records and Virginia Roberts Giuffre's testimony, raise serious questions he must answer, yet he continues to hide. 'Our work will move forward with or without him, and we will hold anyone who was involved in these crimes accountable, no matter their wealth, status, or political party. We will get justice for the survivors.'
Andrew, who was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month, denies any wrongdoing. He had previously agreed to stop using his titles but had expected to remain a prince and retain his dukedom, ahead of the publication of the memoirs of the late Ms Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. He denies the accusation. Damaging newspaper allegations also include that he had tried to get the Metropolitan Police to dig up dirt for a smear campaign against Ms Giuffre.
The force previously said it was looking into the reports after The Mail On Sunday claimed he had passed Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to investigate. Adding to Andrew's woes are moves to strip him of his final remaining honour - the Freedom of the City of London. Andrew was granted the title - which is one of the world's oldest civic honours - by 'virtue of patrimony', because his father Prince Philip had been given it.
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation told the Sun that bosses have been holding talks on rectifying the situation: 'Applications via patrimony are not considered by our elected members. 'The City Corporation is listening, and will continue to listen, to concerns raised. 'And it will carefully consider the rules that govern how a Freedom is given — and the circumstances in which, and procedure by which, it can be removed.' It comes as a royal insider claimed Sarah Ferguson is considering 'six-figure offers' for a tell-all interview in the wake of losing her Duchess of York title.
Palace officials fear the the 66-year-old could go 'rogue' after she was ousted from the Royal Family, the source added. Her downfall came in the wake of further revelations about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and his dealings with Epstein, as well as an email exposing that the former duchess had written an 'apology' to the disgraced financier. Ms Ferguson had publicly promised not to have anything more to do with Epstein following his conviction in 2008 for procuring a girl under 18 for intercourse.
A source has now told The Sun the royals are likely to worry about the prospect of Ms Ferguson going rogue - 'but there's not much they can do to stop her'. It is possible she could sit down again with Oprah Winfrey who has interviewed her before. The source said: 'There’s a danger of her going rogue and saying things that could cause embarrassment for King Charles and Queen Camilla, or other members of the family.' 'Significant' bids for an interview are said to have already been made by US channels alongside talks with networks in the Gulf States and the UK.
However representatives for the former Duchess of York are reportedly desperate to avoid a 'Maitlis scenario' following her ex-husband Andrew's disastrous interview with journalist Emily Maitlis on Newsnight in 2019. But a source said: 'Andrew has had his chances to tell his story. Now it's Fergie's time.' An insider went on to claim Ms Ferguson had received offers from 'all over the world' and was now 'thinking things over very carefully'.
The source said the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie was aware a televised interview would be 'make or break' in terms of salvaging her reputation and that it would give her a chance to 'spell out the fact she knew nothing' about Epstein and what his associates were getting up to. Ms Ferguson is 'keen to answer questions' as she believes she has been 'harshly treated', the source added. Sarah Ferguson lost her duchess title last month when King Charles stripped his brother Andrew of his titles last month, ousting him from the monarchy. The pair, who divorced more than 30 years ago, will also need to leave their shared home - the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor - by the end of January.