Prince Andrew providing ‘zero cooperation’ in Jeffrey Epstein investigation as FBI probe sex trafficking claims
- US officials reached out to British royal as part of sex trafficking probe, federal prosecutor says in unusual move to ‘set record straight’
- Prince Andrew stepped away from royal duties in November after disastrous TV interview about his relationship with late US financier
Britain’s Prince Andrew has provided “zero cooperation” to US investigators probing the case of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison last year, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan said.
US Attorney Geoffrey Berman took the unusual step of commenting on his office’s investigative efforts in response to a question at a conference to raise awareness about a child victims’ law.
Prince Andrew stated publicly that he was willing to cooperate, but Berman “felt it appropriate to set the record straight on that issue”, according to his spokesman, James Margolin.
Prosecutors and FBI agents do not normally publicly disclose steps they are taking during an active investigation. Margolin said the US Attorney’s Office and the New York office of the FBI had reached out to Prince Andrew through his lawyers in Britain but received no response. It is unclear if efforts to secure Prince Andrew’s cooperation are ongoing.
A spokesperson for the royal family did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The prince stepped away from his royal duties in November after comments he made during a television interview about his relationship with Epstein sparked outrage, and said that he was willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations.