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US congressman accuses Prince Andrew of committing sex crimes in America
Republican Representative Thomas Massie used a House of Representatives speech to accuse Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, of committing sex crimes in the United States, while urging the release of more Epstein files. The former royal has consistently denied wrongdoing and faces ongoing investigations.
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Congressman names Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Epstein speech
Republican Representative Thomas Massie has used a speech in the US House of Representatives to accuse Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, of committing sex crimes in the United States. Speaking on the House floor, Massie listed the former prince among associates of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying: "And Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States."
Massie, who represents Kentucky's 4th congressional district, made the remarks during a push for the release of additional Epstein-related documents. He said: "We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted," and added: "Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering justice."
The congressman's list also included former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley and magician David Copperfield. Massie has been pressing for the release of around three million more redacted Epstein files held by the Department of Justice, and he posted on X that he had read the names of several Epstein co-conspirators who should be investigated. He also said he had begun collecting signatures for a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.
Background of allegations
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always strongly denied any wrongdoing and has never been charged with a crime relating to the allegations. The accusations against him date back to claims by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to the former prince as a teenager and that he sexually abused her. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025 at her home in Australia, claimed she had sex with Andrew three times when she was 17, including on US soil in New York and on Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands.
In his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew denied that the meetings with Giuffre had taken place and said he could not recall ever having met her. He reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022. Her posthumously released memoir included the allegation that he "believed having sex with me was his birthright."
Legal and political context
Under US law, members of Congress cannot be prosecuted over statements made in the House or Senate, providing them with legal protection for their remarks. Massie is a long-time campaigner for survivors of Epstein's abuse, according to reports.
President Donald Trump has criticised Massie, describing him as a "bum" and "the worst Republican Congressman in history," as reported by ABC Australia. Massie is standing down in November after losing the 2026 Republican primary, according to the Daily Express.
A congressional panel investigating Epstein had summoned Mountbatten-Windsor in November last year to give evidence, though it lacks the power to compel him to testify. Congressman Robert Garcia said at the time: "Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, former prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors."
Ongoing investigations and status
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has faced separate legal scrutiny in the UK. He was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles in October 2025 and was evicted from the Royal Lodge in February, relocating to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. British police investigating him in May asked witnesses to contact them, and he is also being investigated over alleged misconduct in public office. He was arrested on his 66th birthday at Marsh Farm on suspicion of misconduct in public office but has not been charged with a crime. The former royal has also been accused of sharing confidential government information with Epstein, which he denies.
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a US prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the US for luring young girls for Epstein to abuse.
Massie's accusation comes amid broader political tensions over the release of Epstein case documents, with Massie accusing the Trump administration of withholding files. The president has said his friendship with Epstein ended decades ago. In April, Melania Trump made a rare public statement denying "false smears" linking her to Epstein.
How each outlet told it
A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.
Framing: Headline emphasizes the sex crime accusation against Prince Andrew, attributed to congressman Thomas Massie, and names the accused in full. — Measured and neutral, presenting statements and reactions without overt alarm or sympathy.
Facts Included:
Thomas Massie used congressional privilege on Monday to accuse Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of committing sex crimes in the US
Massie made the comment during a speech in the House of Representatives about Jeffrey Epstein
Massie said: 'We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted'
Massie said: 'And Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States'
Massie said: 'Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering'
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles last year and has always denied committing sexual offences
Under US law, members of Congress cannot be prosecuted over statements made in the House or Senate
Trump has criticised Massie, describing him as a 'bum' and 'the worst Republican Congressman in'
A congressional panel investigating Epstein's crimes summoned Mountbatten-Windsor in November last year to give evidence
Congressman Robert Garcia said: 'Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, former prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors'
Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein to Mountbatten-Windsor as a teenager and that he sexually abused her
He denies any wrongdoing
Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after a BBC Newsnight interview
Giuffre's posthumously released memoir alleged Mountbatten Windsor 'believed having sex with me was his birthright'
Epstein died by suicide in a US prison in 2019
British police investigating Mountbatten-Windsor in May asked witnesses to contact them
The former royal is also being investigated over alleged misconduct in public office
Mountbatten-Windsor has been accused of sharing confidential government information with Epstein, which he denies
Framing: Accusation of sex crimes in the US against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor by a congressman
Facts Included:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was accused of committing sex crimes in the US by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie.
The accusation was made during a speech in the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.
The former Duke of York has always denied wrongdoing and accusations against him.
Massie declared that associates of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein should be held accountable.
Massie said: 'We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted.'
Massie said: 'And Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States. Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering justice.'
Thomas Massie is a Republican member of the US House of Representatives who has represented Kentucky’s 4th congressional district since 2012.
Massie is standing down in November after losing the 2026 Republican primary.
Virginia Giuffre claimed she had sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 - and had been trafficked to him by Epstein.
During his BBC Newsnight interview, Andrew denied that the meetings with the late Ms Giuffre had taken place and said he could not recall ever having met her.
Ms Giuffre died in April 2025 by suicide at her home in Australia.
Ms Giuffre previously claimed two of her sexual liaisons with Andrew happened on US soil - in New York and on Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands.
Framing: The headline emphasizes a call for Prince Andrew to face investigation and prosecution in the US, framed as a demand from a senior Republican. — The tone is factual and neutral, reporting the statements and events without overt emotional language.
Facts Included:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be investigated and prosecuted for sex crimes in the US, Congress has been told.
Senior Republican Thomas Massie read out a list of names on the floor of the House of Representatives, describing them as 'co-conspirators' of Jeffrey Epstein.
Massie is pressing for the release of millions of documents relating to Epstein, which he claims are withheld by Donald Trump's administration.
Massie argued the publication would bring 'accountability to the (US) Department of Justice, and closure for survivors'.
Massie said: 'We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted.'
One of the names listed was 'Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States too'.
Massie added: 'Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering justice.'
Both Andrew and the federal department have been contacted for comment.
Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in Manhattan in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges; his death was ruled a suicide.
Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for luring young girls for Epstein to abuse.
Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, had accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager; he denied this but reached an out-of-court settlement in 2022.
The King stripped Andrew of his royal titles last year; Andrew was forced to leave his Windsor mansion.
Andrew stepped down as trade envoy in 2011 amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.
Lord Peter Mandelson was fired as UK ambassador to the US; both were arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation.
The Epstein controversy has been a political headache for the US president, who has said his friendship with Epstein ended decades ago.
In April, Melania Trump made a rare public statement denying 'false smears' linking her to Epstein.
Framing: Headline emphasizes the congressman's claim that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor committed sex crimes in the US.
Facts Included:
Republican Representative Thomas Massie named Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during a speech on accountability linked to those involved with Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr Massie spoke on Tuesday to the US House of Representatives and pushed for the release of the Epstein Files.
Mr Massie recited a lengthy list of names including former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley, magician David Copperfield, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Mr Massie said: 'And Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States.'
Mr Massie pushed for the release of three million more redacted Epstein Files held by Trump's Justice Department.
Mr Massie said: 'Perhaps hearing these names will shame the Department of Justice into delivering justice.'
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always strongly denied any wrongdoing after being accused of having sex with the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre in 2001.
Framing: The headline emphasizes Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being accused of sex crimes in the US, using the formal name and the phrase 'accused of sex crimes'. — The tone is sensational and accusatory, using dramatic language like 'sex crimes', 'disgraced', 'booted out', and 'up for grabs'.
Facts Included:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been named by a congressman as having committed sex crimes in America.
Thomas Massie publicly named him by his old title Prince Andrew during a speech in the House of Representatives in Washington.
Massie accused Trump of withholding around three million more Epstein files since vowing to release them in full last year.
Massie was given the floor for a minute and used his time to list alleged friends of Epstein, including former Barclays boss Jes Staley and magician David Copperfield.
Massie said: 'We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and' (quote truncated in source).
Massie said: 'And Prince Andrew, who committed sex crimes in the United States.'
Massie posted his speech on X, adding he read the names of several Epstein coconspirators who should be investigated and prosecuted.
Massie began collecting 218 signatures for a discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Andrew vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
In October 2025, King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and privileges.
Andrew and Sarah were evicted from the Royal Lodge in February.
On his 66th birthday, Andrew was arrested at Marsh Farm on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The investigation is ongoing, and Andrew has not been charged with a crime.
The Royal Lodge is officially up for grabs after Andrew was booted out in February and relocated to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
According to The Times, prospective buyers will face 'strict security tests' before being considered for the home.
Andrew shared the Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status is Contested when two claims on this page negate each other; otherwise it counts the distinct outlets we found asserting that specific claim — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimRepublican Representative Thomas Massie accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, of committing sex crimes in the United States during a speech in the US House of Representatives.
ClaimMassie read out a list of names including former Barclays chief executive Jes Staley, magician David Copperfield, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, describing them as 'co-conspirators' of Jeffrey Epstein.
ClaimCongressman Robert Garcia said: 'Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Now, former prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors.'
ClaimGiuffre previously claimed two of her sexual liaisons with Andrew happened on US soil - in New York and on Epstein's island in the US Virgin Islands.