Why Andrew must face criminal investigation after Epstein file release,
The Metropolitan Police must reopen its investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Richard Eden has demanded after the latest release of millions of pages from the Jeffrey Epstein files.
On Friday, the US Department of Justice released its largest tranche yet of previously restricted files from its investigation into the secretive financier and sex offender.
The former Duke of York features prominently in over 3 million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos released by US authorities.
Among the files were images of Andrew kneeling over an unidentified woman with his hand on her abdomen, emails in which Epstein offered to introduce Andrew to a 26-year-old Russian woman, and alleged messages inviting the convicted sex offender to Buckingham Palace for dinner barely a month after his release from house arrest.
The Daily Mail’s Diary Editor has joined calls for the disgraced royal to face a renewed criminal investigation, demanding Andrew be interviewed under caution on his show Palace Reacts.
Eden’s demand centres on allegations first reported by the Mail on Sunday in October 2025 that Andrew emailed the Queen’s Deputy Press Secretary in 2011, providing Virginia Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number to his protection officer for investigation.
‘The request on its own offers potential grounds for legal action, both in the UK and US,’ Eden said.
‘The idea that public resources might have been used to blacken the name of a victim of sexual exploitation is abhorrent.
‘Not only does it demand the urgent attention of the police – but it also needs to be seen to be investigated. Many survivors of the most appalling abuse feel unsafe coming forward to the authorities – and we cannot have a situation where even the suspicion exists that elite members of society have the power to have victims targeted for investigation by serving police officers.
‘That is how justice fails, and perpetrators walk free to abuse again.’
The Met reviewed allegations against Andrew several times since 2016 but has never opened a formal criminal investigation.
The former prince has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre in 2022 without admitting liability.
Eden also demanded Andrew provide a full voluntary statement under oath detailing his 12-year relationship with Epstein.
He also called on King Charles to completely cut off Andrew from any public funds.
‘The stripping of Andrew’s titles looks more and more like a slap on the wrist’, Eden argued.
‘Practically every day, we see Andrew riding horses around Windsor – who’s paying for that? His allowance – who’s paying for that?
‘Enough is enough. Cut him off. King Charles, this is my demand of you.
‘Because if there’s a single, solitary penny of tax-payer’s money going to that man, it is more than he could ever deserve and more than the people could ever stomach.’
To watch Eden’s scathing response to Friday’s Epstein file release, search for Palace Reacts on YouTube or subscribe to the Daily Mail’s Royals channel.
