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Prince Andrew on alert as US set to release Jeffrey Epstein files in Congress hearing
The US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability is set to begin receiving the first batch of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case on Friday
Prince Andrew has been advised to "brace himself" as explosive US government files concerning his paedophile associate Jeffrey Epstein are set to be disclosed within days.
The disgraced Duke of York, already tarnished by years of scandal, could find his name splashed across official US documents as Congress prepares to unveil confidential papers linked to the billionaire sex offender. On Friday, Congress will start receiving the initial batch of documents from the Department of Justice.
They have committed to making the files public once victims' identities and other sensitive material have been redacted, just a week after Andrew's biographer declared Trump's fate in the Epstein scandal decided.
A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee confirmed to the Mirror: "The Committee intends to make the records public after thorough review to ensure all victims' identification and child sexual abuse material are redacted. The Committee will also consult with the DOJ to ensure any documents released do not negatively impact ongoing criminal cases and investigations."
This move heightens the pressure on Andrew, whose ties to Epstein - including allegations he repeatedly slept with the financier's 'teen sex slave' Virginia Giuffre - have left his Royal reputation in tatters. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied all wrongdoing.
An Epstein victim has cautioned that the forthcoming public disclosure of court documents will leave numerous high-profile men, including the Duke of York, feeling anxious. "Andrew should brace himself," the survivor said.
"When these files are finally made public, countless men, some of whom may have never been named before, will have to answer for their friendship with Jeffrey. Survivors like me have had to live with the shame and trauma while men in power carried on as if nothing happened."
The woman, now 38 and a beneficiary of compensation from the Epstein victim fund, went on: "If your Prince's name is there, then he must answer for it. No amount of royal privilege, no titles, no lawyers should protect him from the truth. He should be ready, because the world will see exactly who was mixed up with Jeffrey and what they chose to ignore."
The expected publication of the documents follows prominent US lawyer Gloria Allred's recent comments to The Mirror that Andrew, aged 65, should appear before American legislators to give testimony about his understanding of Epstein. The barrister, who acts for multiple victims of the paedophile, stated: "All I can say is, now more than ever, he should come forward, and he could volunteer to testify publicly."
Congress is said to be acting rapidly, with sources indicating the initial disclosures could surface "in days rather than weeks."
Committee chairman James Comer announced the documents would finally illuminate a saga the Trump administration has been accused of concealing.
This comes after the Justice Department's July announcement that "no further disclosures" regarding Epstein were required - a decision that enraged victims, campaigners, and the President's MAGA supporters alike.
The US leader had promised during his White House campaign to make all government Epstein documents public.
For years, America has remained obsessed with the so-called "Epstein files" amid rampant speculation that the financier kept a secret list of powerful associates who engaged in the company of underage girls.
The FBI and DOJ insist no such list exists. Nevertheless, earlier this year, former Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to release the files when she announced, "It's on my desk."
Donald Trump, who enjoyed a close friendship with Epstein spanning over three decades, was regularly seen at events in Palm Beach and Manhattan alongside him and now faces awkward questions himself.
Epstein, once a globe-trotting financier with connections to presidents, royalty and billionaires, died in his New York prison cell in August 2019.
Officially ruled as suicide, his unexpected demise has sparked years of conspiracy theories - with many believing he was silenced to prevent him from revealing damaging information. These speculations continue, especially now that the US government is being forced to disclose files that could potentially sully numerous wealthy and famous individuals.
For Prince Andrew, the threat is clear. His disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, where he asserted he didn't sweat and denied ever meeting his accuser Giuffre, remains one of the most humiliating episodes in Royal history.
Despite settling Giuffre's New York civil lawsuit with an alleged payment of £12 million, he has consistently refuted any wrongdoing.
