Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has strongly denied any involvement in sexual abuse claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein, pleading with the financier to publicly affirm his innocence. In an email from March 2011, Andrew wrote, “I can’t take any more of this,” insisting, “You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me.” The message, copied to Ghislaine Maxwell and two lawyers, responded to a newspaper inquiry about allegations involving Andrew and a complainant believed to be Virginia Giuffre.

The cache of documents, released by the US House Oversight Committee, also included emails showing the former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson urging Epstein not to agree to an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme regarding circulating stories about Epstein and Andrew. Mandelson, who was later sacked over his association with Epstein, replied simply, “No!!” and has since expressed regret over his past connections with Epstein and sympathy for his victims.

Andrew has faced intense scrutiny over Giuffre’s allegations that she was trafficked as a teenager and forced to have sex with him, claims he vehemently denies. Giuffre died earlier this year by suicide, and her posthumous memoir prompted King Charles to remove Andrew’s royal title and order his eviction from Royal Lodge. In 2022, Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre for a reported £12 million without admitting liability.

In a 2019 BBC interview, Andrew said he had “no recollection” of meeting Giuffre, though he acknowledged having met Epstein before and after the financier’s first conviction and confirmed visits to Epstein’s island and private plane. He also admitted that Epstein and Maxwell had visited Windsor Castle and Sandringham.