A former Conservative Home Secretary reportedly prevented US authorities from interrogating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to The Mirror’s investigation.
Dame Priti Patel, who held the position in 2020, allegedly blocked the US Department of Justice’s official request to compel Mountbatten-Windsor to answer inquiries about his ties to Epstein. The request, made under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT), cited FBI evidence indicating that the then-Duke of York was aware of Epstein’s criminal activities.
Despite the US authorities’ plea for a compelled interview if Mountbatten-Windsor declined voluntarily, the Home Office, under Ms Patel’s leadership, reportedly did not facilitate the questioning.
In response to inquiries about her decision, a Tory spokesperson emphasized that the guidance from Government Legal Advisers played a pivotal role in determining the course of action. Subsequent revelations about Mountbatten-Windsor’s connection with Epstein have heightened the need for scrutiny by the authorities, the spokesperson added.
During the period of the request, the FBI was investigating Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite, for her alleged involvement in trafficking women for Epstein. Geoffrey Berman, a former US attorney leading the investigation, had raised concerns about UK authorities shielding Prince Andrew from scrutiny.
Under the MLAT, countries can seek cooperation to obtain witness testimonies abroad, potentially through court orders. Home Office civil servants reviewed the request, with the Home Secretary making the final decision, resulting in the UK declining to assist the investigation.
Efforts to access uncensored material from the Epstein files by the Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley underscore the ongoing interest in potential evidence related to Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson’s interactions with Epstein. Both individuals faced misconduct allegations following the release of the files, with ongoing assessments to determine any criminal implications.
Allegations from the files, including claims by Virginia Giuffre of being trafficked to Prince Andrew, are being examined for potential criminal inquiries. However, Prince Andrew has consistently denied these allegations.
Legal discussions between Ms Patel and a lawyer representing Harry Dunn’s family suggested a linkage between allowing the US to question Andrew and the extradition of Anne Sacoolas, involved in Dunn’s death. The lawyer expressed regret over the potential intertwining of these cases and stressed the importance of addressing them independently.
Meanwhile, revelations from email exchanges between Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal team and New York prosecutors indicate hesitancy on his part to participate in interviews related to Maxwell’s case. Maxwell was subsequently sentenced to 20 years for sex-trafficking in 2022.
While evidence suggested Prince Andrew’s involvement in sexual conduct with Epstein’s victims, US authorities treated him as a witness rather than a suspect. The Home Office affirmed its commitment to fulfilling legal obligations impartially and globally, expressing solidarity with Epstein’s victims and pledging to ensure accountability.
