British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should give testimony to the US Congress, following new revelations about his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The comment came after the US Department of Justice released more than 3 million documents from the Epstein files on Friday, including emails showing Andrew kept in regular contact with Epstein for more than two years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child sex crimes.
Asked in Japan, where he was concluding an East Asia tour, whether Andrew should answer questions from US lawmakers, Starmer replied “yes.” He said his approach is guided by the victims of Epstein, who “have to be the first priority.” On whether an apology was needed, Starmer said that was for Andrew to decide. He added that anyone with relevant information should be prepared to share it in whatever form is requested, because you cannot be “victim-centred” if information is withheld.
Starmer’s remarks are likely to increase pressure on Andrew, who was stripped of royal titles and honors by his brother, King Charles III, in late 2025. Previously, Starmer had urged “anybody who has got relevant information” to testify but had described appearing before US investigators as a decision for Andrew himself. In November, members of a US congressional committee probing the Epstein case renewed calls for Andrew to answer questions.
The newly released documents include undated photos showing Andrew kneeling over a clothed woman lying on the floor; the images contain no context and their location is unclear. Screenshots and scans also appear to show emails from Epstein proposing that Andrew dine with a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian, though it is not clear if any meeting occurred.
The renewed focus on Andrew comes as reports say he is set to vacate his 30-room residence on the royal estate at Windsor after being ousted by the king. British media on Saturday pictured the 65-year-old driving on the estate grounds.
Andrew, the ex-Duke of York, has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Virginia Giuffre, a US-Australian citizen who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew three times — including twice when she said she was 17 — died by suicide last year. In 2022 Andrew settled a multi-million-pound lawsuit Giuffre had filed, without admitting liability. He has also denied maintaining ties with Epstein after the 2008 conviction, saying only that he made a 2010 trip to New York to end their relationship. Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Edited by: Sean Sinico