Asked if he thought the former Prince Andrew should voluntarily speak to British police, the British Prime Minister said it was a “police matter.”
He added that law enforcement will conduct their own investigations, but one of the basic principles of the state is that everyone is equal before the law and no one is above the law.
Starmer said it was a “very important British principle” and should apply in the case of King Charles III's younger brother as in any other case.
The British Prime Minister added that if Parliament wants to discuss former Prince Andrew's ties to convicted of sex crimes by American financier Jeffrey Epstein, he will not interfere with this.
What is known about the arrest of former Prince Andrew
The former Prince Andrew, ex-Duke of York is the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.
In 2010, Prince Andrew was photographed with Epstein in New York's Central Park. By that time, Epstein had already been convicted in a case of soliciting minors for prostitution.
In addition, according to media reports, the British prince visited the financier's house in Manhattan. In 2015, Prince Andrew's name appeared in court documents in the US civil case against Epstein.
February 19 former Prince Andrew was arrested by UK police on suspicion of abuse of power and transfer of documents to Epstein.
King Charles III stated that was deeply concerned to hear news of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest and allegations of misconduct in public office. He added that there must be a “full and fair investigation into this matter in an appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.” According to the British king, the police will receive the support of the royal family.
“Let me be clear: the law must prevail,” said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's eldest brother.
Context
Epstein is an American billionaire known for his connections with politicians and royalty, including the 42nd President of the United States. Bill Clinton, Trump and the former Prince Andrew. In 2019 he committed suicide in a New York City jail cell awaiting trial on human trafficking charges.
The Palm Beach Daily News detailed that Epstein first came to the attention of law enforcement in 2005 for child abuse in Florida. By estimates investigators, he started this back in 1994. In 2008, he was convicted of inciting a minor into prostitution. In 2019, he was arrested a second time, accused of human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors.
On November 20, Trump signed the bill opening files convicted Epstein.
On January 30, 2026, the US Department of Justice published a new batch of investigation materials related to Epstein. New files include Trump indictment in sexual abuse of minors. The materials may include documents containing false and sensational allegations against Trump filed with the FBI before the 2020 election, the department said.
The Associated Press wrote on February 7 that the FBI did not find sufficient evidence that Epstein ran a network of trafficking in the sex services of minors for influential people.
