UK and FBI could work together to pressure Andrew amid ‘disturbing’ images

Communities Secretary Steve Reed today reiterated Keir Starmer’s calls for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence to Congress if he has information

Pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to increase after a senior UK minister criticised “disturbing” images of the former prince in the Epstein files.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed today reiterated Keir Starmer ’s calls for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence to Congress if he has information. And he suggested the UK could cooperate with the FBI over Andrew testifying to Congress.

On Friday, more than three million documents were published by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein. They include pictures appearing to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor crouched over a woman, in an interior said to match Epstein’s New York mansion.

The undated images were released in a document of 100 pages of photos, and also appear to show the former duke touching her abdomen.

Asked about the images, Mr Reed said: “I mean, what would anyone think? It’s a very disturbing image and very worrying allegations.”

READ MORE: Donald Trump breaks silence on Epstein files after claim about 13-year-old girl

The Cabinet minister refused to say if the Government would comply with an extradition request from the US for the former duke as he said it would depend on what offence, if any, is alleged. You’re asking me now details of legislation that would depend on the type of offence that may or may not have been committed,” he told Sky News.

“It’s entirely hypothetical. I don’t think it’s sensible for me to come on here and start talking hypothetically about situations that may or may not exist.

“But the principle here is very, very clear: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor clearly has insight into what was going on, and he should testify, because the victims deserve and need him, and anybody else who may have witnessed things, to do that.”

Asked if the UK should cooperate with the FBI over Mr Mountbatten-Windsor testifying to Congress, Mr Reed added to Times Radio: “Let’s see what they say. Cooperation always is a good thing. But there are many ways to testify.

“You can testify by video link as well. However powerful or influential the individual, I think given the gravity of these cases, people need to come forward. And that includes the former Prince Andrew.”

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said “Parliament “should be looking at removing his (Andrew’s) position in the line of succession.” Asked if he supported the Prime Minister’s comments on Mr Mountbatten-Windsor failing Epstein’s victims by his silence, the Tory MP said: “I absolutely do. The most recent documents released show the sheer horrifying scale of what Epstein was up to and anyone, including the former Prince Andrew, should cooperate with all the inquiries by public bodies, including the Congressional Inquiry.”

He added: “Given he is embroiled in this whole situation and there’s obviously a lot of email evidence of his connection to Epstein including after Epstein’s conviction, I do think Parliament should be looking at removing his position in the line of succession.”

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, the King’s brother, has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The former prince was stripped of his titles by Charles last year after the posthumous release of a book by Virginia Giuffre who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17. Andrew paid millions to Ms Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.

On the final leg of his trip to East Asia, Mr Starmer suggested Mr Mountbatten-Windsor should testify to the US congressional Epstein investigation. He said: “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.”