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Joanna Taylor
Jun 08, 2020
Tristan Fewings / Getty Images
US prosecutors have reportedly made a formal request to speak to Prince Andrew about his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request has been submitted to the Home Office as part of an inquiry into Epstein's alleged sex trafficking ring, according to The Sun.
Prince Andrew is wanted by lawyers as a possible witness rather than as a suspect.
Buckingham Palace has previously indicated that the Duke of York would co-operate with an investigation into Epstein's criminal behaviour if asked.
The Duke is willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.
Prince Andrew has been accused by Virginia Roberts Giuffre of having had sex with her after she was trafficked to him by Epstein on multiple occasions between 2001 and 2002. The prince denies these allegations.
Interest in Prince Andrew's involvement in the case was stoked by his infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, and more recently by a Netflix documentary series that examines Robert Giuffre's accusations in detail.
Prince Andrew won't even be able to have a going away party at Pizza Express— Ian Ford (@Ian Ford) 1591568605
USA authorities want to speak to Prince Andrew. I wonder if they have extradition rights. Meanwhile Gislaine Maxwel… https://t.co/zW1kI45xMZ— Lord Sugar (@Lord Sugar) 1591584827
People are saying that Prince Andrew should be swapped for Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US government employee who was granted diplomatic immunity after her involvement in the traffic collision that killed Harry Dunn.
Anne Sacoolas in exchange for Prince Andrew. You know it makes sense. https://t.co/eQXBt504SB— Denis Skinner (@Denis Skinner) 1591598783
I propose we swap Prince Andrew for Anne Sacoolas. Harry Dunn's family deserve justice and so do Jeffrey Epstein's… https://t.co/MYjujZHuo0— Alex Tiffin (@Alex Tiffin) 1591566066
Prince Andrew for Anne Sacoolas... Seems a fair swap to me— Rodders 🚩🌹🏴☠️ (@Rodders 🚩🌹🏴☠️) 1591598461
Slippery Prince Andrew has a duty to help the investigation into his paedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein. When the UK… https://t.co/Ns6P8hRCLe— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1591604706
They also want to know whether any of Epstein's other famous friends will be questioned.
Some pointed out that Meghan Markle was effectively hounded out of the royal family while Prince Andrew has retained his title in spite of his prominent friendship with a convicted paedophile.
Somehow Meghan is bad for the royal brand, but Prince Andrew still has his title. I wonder why that is.— 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚎 𝙳𝚎𝚂𝚢𝚕𝚟𝚊 🇦🇺🦘😷🦠💉✨ (@𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚎 𝙳𝚎𝚂𝚢𝚕𝚟𝚊 🇦🇺🦘😷🦠💉✨) 1591585537
People joked that Prince Andrew would become part of the post-Brexit trade deal the UK is currently negotiating with the US.
@JimMFelton Britain asks for Anne Sacoolas. America: "No thanks" America asks for Prince Andrew. Britain: "No th… https://t.co/lyfHHh4uXn— Ian H #BorisResign #DickOut #CorruptTories (@Ian H #BorisResign #DickOut #CorruptTories) 1591565580
How long before Prince Andrew becomes part of the US trade negotiation strategy @realDonaldTrump How will… https://t.co/Ck4NWtWSfu— WagonTrain (@WagonTrain) 1591605260
Can we hand over Prince Andrew in exchange for the Americans withdrawing their insistence on their shitty meat being part of any trade deal?— LumberTubs (@LumberTubs) 1591601933
Whatever happens next, this is only the latest development in what has to be one of the strangest and most dramatic years in recent history.
Australian fires, general elections, Brexit, Prince Andrew, Harry quits, Weinstein, Coronavirus, lockdown, PPE, Cu… https://t.co/7ohPl2Mnpu— Kate Lister (@Kate Lister) 1591599078
Morning Twatters. I’m sitting back and waiting for Prince Andrew to be questioned in the US. Grab ya popcorn.....🤣🤣 https://t.co/9E3o6sAQ8P— Bangers&Gash (@Bangers&Gash) 1591602094
How on earth will The Crown cover this?