Starmer Urges Andrew To Testify In Epstein Scandal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before the United States Congress, following a dramatic release of new documents that reignited scrutiny of the ex-royal’s relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer’s comments, delivered on February 1, 2026, came just a day after the US Department of Justice published more than three million documents related to the Epstein case, including emails and photographs implicating Mountbatten-Windsor in ongoing contact with Epstein long after the financier’s conviction for child sex crimes.

Speaking to reporters in Japan at the conclusion of his East Asia tour, Starmer was unequivocal when asked whether Mountbatten-Windsor should answer US lawmakers’ questions. “Yes,” he replied, according to the BBC. Starmer went on to stress the importance of centering the victims of Epstein’s crimes in any response to the scandal. “Firstly, I always approach this question with the victims of Epstein in mind. Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority. Whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew,” he said. “But, yes, in terms of testifying, I’ve always said anybody who’s got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they’re asked to do that because you can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”

The prime minister’s remarks mark a significant escalation in the official response from the British government. Previously, Starmer had limited his comments to a general encouragement that “anybody who has got relevant information” should testify in cases like this. Now, with mounting evidence and public pressure, his call for Mountbatten-Windsor to cooperate with US authorities is expected to intensify scrutiny on the former Duke of York.

The timing of Starmer’s statement is notable. It follows the US Justice Department’s release of a vast trove of Epstein files on January 31, 2026—a document dump that has been described by the Guardian as opening “a can of worms” for the ex-royal. Among the newly revealed materials are emails that show Mountbatten-Windsor maintained regular contact with Epstein for more than two years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child sex crimes. The files also include undated photographs of Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a clothed woman lying on the floor. The images, which lack additional context, have fueled further speculation about the nature of his relationship with Epstein and those in his orbit.

Additionally, screenshots and scans from the released documents appear to show Epstein proposing that Mountbatten-Windsor have dinner with a “beautiful, trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman. Whether such a meeting ever took place remains unclear, but the correspondence suggests a level of familiarity and ongoing contact that contradicts previous public statements by Mountbatten-Windsor.

The renewed focus on Mountbatten-Windsor comes at a time of personal upheaval for the former prince. In late 2025, King Charles III stripped his younger brother of all royal titles and honors, a move that was widely interpreted as an effort to distance the monarchy from the scandal. According to Sky News, Mountbatten-Windsor is now reportedly set to vacate his sprawling 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate after being ousted by the king. On February 1, 2026, British media published photographs of the 65-year-old driving on the grounds of the estate, a visual reminder of his diminished status within the royal family.

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. However, the allegations against him have been persistent and serious. Virginia Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen who died by suicide in 2025, accused Epstein of trafficking her to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor on three occasions, including twice when she was just 17 years old. In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reached a multi-million-pound settlement with Giuffre in a civil lawsuit, but did so without admitting guilt.

Despite the settlement, questions about Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct and his relationship with Epstein have not abated. For years, the former prince maintained that he had cut off ties with Epstein following the latter’s conviction, aside from a now-infamous 2010 trip to New York that he claimed was intended to end their friendship. The latest revelations, however, suggest a more sustained and complicated connection.

Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, left behind a legacy of unanswered questions and a sprawling network of powerful associates. The release of the new documents has reignited public interest in the case, as well as calls for greater accountability from those who may have enabled or participated in Epstein’s crimes. In November 2025, members of a US congressional committee investigating the Epstein case stepped up their efforts to have Mountbatten-Windsor testify. At the time, Starmer had characterized the decision as one for Mountbatten-Windsor to make himself. The prime minister’s latest remarks, however, leave little doubt about the UK government’s position: those with knowledge of Epstein’s crimes must be prepared to share what they know.

The developments have also sparked debate within the UK, with many questioning the role of the monarchy and the responsibilities of its members in the face of such grave allegations. Some commentators have argued that the stripping of Mountbatten-Windsor’s titles was a necessary step to preserve the integrity of the royal institution. Others have expressed concern that the monarchy’s actions, while symbolically significant, do not go far enough in ensuring justice for Epstein’s victims.

The case has become a flashpoint for broader discussions about privilege, accountability, and the treatment of sexual abuse survivors. Starmer’s insistence that “you can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that” underscores a growing recognition among political leaders of the need to prioritize the voices and experiences of victims in high-profile abuse cases.

As the fallout from the Epstein scandal continues to reverberate on both sides of the Atlantic, the pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor to testify is likely to increase. The release of the latest documents has only added to the sense of urgency, with lawmakers and advocates alike demanding transparency and accountability. Whether Mountbatten-Windsor will ultimately agree to appear before Congress remains to be seen, but the message from the UK’s prime minister is clear: the days of “sticking your head in the sand” are over.

The unfolding story serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of justice for victims of abuse is a long and often fraught process—one that requires persistence, courage, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, no matter how high the stakes or how powerful the individuals involved.