A US lawmaker has made a direct plea to Sarah Ferguson to testify about her “close personal and business ties” to Jeffrey Epstein, according to a letter seen exclusively by the BBC.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam urged her to provide information to the US congressional committee investigating the late sex offender. He also asked for any knowledge she had of her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s involvement in Epstein’s operations.
The letter represents the most direct pressure on the former duchess to testify since the start of the Epstein scandal.
Ferguson’s representatives have been approached for comment. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January.
At the weekend, the BBC first revealed that some US lawmakers were calling for Ferguson to give evidence concerning her links to Epstein.
There is no legal mechanism to compel the former duchess to testify in the US.
In the letter, which was sent to Ferguson on Thursday and set a two-week deadline for her to respond, Democratic Congressman Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee, said the recent drop of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice had revealed her “close personal and business ties” with the American financier.
“As the committee seeks justice for the survivors of Mr Epstein’s criminal enterprise, and transparency for the American public, I respectfully request your co-operation with the committee’s investigation,” he wrote.
The letter referred to an email from a “Sarah” describing Epstein as “a legend” after his conviction in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor – in which it was written: “I am at your service. Just marry me.”
It also referenced emails that suggest Ferguson asked Epstein directly for financial assistance.
“Additionally, while you officially divorced former Prince Andrew in 1996, the committee is interested in learning more about any knowledge of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s involvement in Mr Epstein’s operations,” the letter said.
“It is clear that you possessed social and business ties to Mr Epstein and have knowledge of information that can assist our investigation,” it went on.
“I request that you cooperate with the committee’s investigation and provide information regarding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators.
“Due to the urgency of this matter, I ask that you provide a response no later than April 9, 2026.”
New details emerged about the former Duchess of York’s friendship with the late convicted sex offender in the documents released by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.
Being named among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
But the massive drop of files suggested she was more embroiled in his world than we had previously thought.
She comes across as a needy figure, chasing money and support – apparently describing herself to Epstein as “very traumatised and alone”.
Ferguson is seen praising the late sex offender in 2009 as “the brother I have always wished for”.
The emails also suggest she contacted Epstein while he was in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor – and that she took her daughters along for lunch with him in Miami, days after his release from prison.
Last weekend, Congressman Subramanyam told the BBC he now believed she had “information related to the investigation” and should give testimony to the committee.
His calls were echoed by Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, who urged anyone with information of wrongdoing by Epstein and his associates to co-operate in order to ensure justice for the survivors.
The committee is controlled by Republicans, who have not indicated they would support the move to urge Ferguson to testify.
But the family of prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre also said they “strongly believed” the former Duchess of York should go to the US to answer questions.
“If Ferguson knows anything, she should testify in the United States immediately,” a representative for Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts told the BBC.
US lawmakers have also repeatedly – and unsuccessfully – called for Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions about his links to the late American financier and sex offender.
Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80m5y428xpo
