Pressure mounts on Britain’s ex-prince Andrew to testify in Jeffrey Epstein case

London: There is mounting pressure this weekend on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain’s scandal-hit former prince whose royal status was revoked by his brother King Charles III, to testify before a US committee investigating the extent of the crimes of convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.

A second woman has alleged that she was flown to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with then Prince Andrew at his Royal Lodge residence on the Windsor Castle estate back in 2010.

Andrew, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, is yet to comment on the latest accusations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was asked about the latest allegations involving the former frontline royal as he concluded his visit to Japan on Sunday.

“I have always approached this question with the victims of Epstein in mind. Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority,” Starmer told reporters. “As for whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew.

But, yes, in terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that. You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that,” he said.

It follows years of controversy since Virginia Giuffre alleged that she was brought to London to have sex with the former prince in 2001 when she was 17.

The second alleged victim, in her 20s at the time, who has come forward this weekend claims that

after spending the night with the then prince she was also given a tour and had tea at Buckingham Palace in London.

Her Florida-based lawyer Brad Edwards, from the American firm

Edwards Henderson who also represented Giuffre, now deceased, told the BBC that there were communications between his client and Andrew before their sexual encounter.