Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch wants to hear from Prince Andrew as the United States House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein continues.
“We would be extremely interested in hearing from Prince Andrew regarding his involvement in all of this, yes,” Lynch, 70, said during a Tuesday, October 21, appearance on BBC’s Newsnight, noting that he’s “sure” an invitation for the disgraced royal to appear before the committee will be issued.
“We’ve had an opportunity to interview a half dozen of the survivors,” Lynch added. “Each one of them has really had a bond with Virginia Giuffre, and I think these memoirs only strengthen that bond.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Lynch noted that the “pain and anguish” experienced by the women who have come out against the late convicted billionaire sex trafficker Epstein will “increase our interest in speaking to everyone who was involved.”
How Is Prince Andrew Connected to the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal? Timeline
Andrew cannot be subpoenaed to appear before the committee as he is a U.K. citizen, but he can be invited. The House Oversight Committee is actively investigating the “Epstein Files” released last month, which detail Epstein’s criminal dealings when he was alive. (Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in August 2019 while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York.)
Andrew’s connection with Epstein came to light in 2019 when the late Giuffre accused the former Duke of York of sexual assault, which he has continued to deny.
Giuffre’s memoir, Nobody’s Girl, which was released posthumously on Tuesday, claimed that she had three sexual experiences with Andrew when she was 17 and 18 years old, one of which was an alleged “orgy” including Epstein and other women.
Andrew is also being investigated for allegedly asking his security detail for information on Giuffre in 2011, People reported on Monday, October 20. The outlet said that the allegations against Andrew will be “examined in the appropriate way” by Buckingham Palace, who are treating all claims against the former duke with “very great concern.”
Prince Andrew Accuser Virginia Giuffre’s Family Sends Message to the Royals
Andrew announced on Friday, October 17, that he would be giving up his royal title amid public scrutiny over his connection to Epstein.
“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew shared in a statement to Us Weekly on Friday. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”
Andrew stepped back from his public duties after Giuffre’s initial allegations went public. Giuffre eventually sued Andrew for sexual abuse in 2021. They settled outside of court the following year. (Giuffre died by suicide at age 41 this past April.)
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further,” Andrew’s statement on Friday continued. “I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
