UK PM Starmer urges ex-Prince Andrew to cooperate in Epstein files probe
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Prince Andrew to fully cooperate with any investigations linked to the release and examination of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, adding renewed political pressure to a case that continues to cast a shadow over Britain’s royal family.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Starmer said transparency and accountability were essential when addressing allegations linked to serious crimes, stressing that “no individual should be beyond scrutiny.” While the prime minister avoided commenting on specific evidence, he made clear that cooperation with authorities was a matter of public trust, not status.
The remarks follow growing international attention on Epstein-related court documents and renewed calls from lawmakers and campaigners for greater clarity around the nature of Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures. Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has long faced intense scrutiny over his past association with Epstein, which he has repeatedly said he regrets.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and reached a multi-million-pound settlement in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault — an allegation he strongly rejected. The settlement contained no admission of liability but effectively ended the US civil case.
Starmer’s intervention marks one of the clearest statements yet from a sitting UK prime minister on the issue. Analysts say it reflects shifting public expectations around institutional accountability and transparency, particularly following years of criticism over how allegations involving elites are handled.
Opposition figures and civil society groups welcomed Starmer’s comments, arguing that public confidence depends on equal application of the law. “This is about accountability, not monarchy,” said one senior MP, adding that cooperation with legal processes is vital to maintaining trust in democratic institutions.
Buckingham Palace has not issued a new response following the prime minister’s remarks. Prince Andrew stepped back from public royal duties in 2019 and no longer uses his HRH title in an official capacity.
As further Epstein-related materials are reviewed by courts and authorities, the issue is likely to remain politically sensitive. For Starmer’s government, the message appears clear: past status offers no exemption from present scrutiny.
For more such articles, please follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
