Starmer calls on Andrew to testify before US Congress over Epstein dealings

Sir Keir Starmer has called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before the US Congress over his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein.

Emails exchanged between Andrew and Epstein were released in the latest drop of more than three million pages of documents by the US Justice Department (DoJ).

Also included in the latest tranche were three images appearing to show the former duke on all fours over a woman lying on the floor, with the date and circumstances unspecified.

Epstein files – latest updates

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.

Speaking to reporters on his way back from Japan, the prime minister said: “In terms of testifying I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they are asked to do that.”

He added: “You can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.

“Epstein’s victims have to be the first priority.

“As for whether there should be an apology, that’s a matter for Andrew.”

In a statement issued on 17 October 2025, Andrew reiterated that he “vigorously” denies the accusations against him.

Speaking for the first time about the latest release of files, Donald Trump said the documents cleared him of allegations about his links with Epstein.

As he flew to Florida on Saturday, the US president told reporters: “I didn’t see it myself but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping, you know, the radical left.”

According to US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, the latest DoJ file drop amounts to “about two Eiffel Towers of pages”.

Pictures released of Peter Mandelson in his underwear

Also included are images of Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the US, in his underpants.

There are several versions of essentially the same image, showing the former cabinet minister in his underwear, talking to a woman wearing a bathrobe.

Sky News does not know when, where or by whom the photos were taken and appearing in a photo in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing.

Read more:
Epstein files: Key findings so far
It is clear Epstein was welcomed into Andrew’s family fold

A spokesperson for Lord Mandelson told Sky News: “No one can say who or where the photo was taken.

“Lord Mandelson has absolutely no idea or indeed whether it has any connection to Epstein at all.”

Epstein wanted Sarah Ferguson to say he was ‘not a pedo’

Newly released emails also appear to show Epstein wanted Sarah Ferguson to release a statement saying he was “not a pedo [paedophile]”.

The former Duchess of York distanced herself from the disgraced financier in 2011 interview, saying she abhorred “paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children”, calling her association with Epstein “a gigantic error of judgment”.

An email exchange from the latest drop of files, dated one week after Ferguson’s interview, appears to show Epstein’s immediate reaction.

He suggests to publicist Mike Sitrick that Ferguson quickly release a statement saying she had been “duped” by lawyers representing some of his accusers.

“She now knows that what she was told was based on falsehoods and fabrications designed to enhance their civil suit,” Epstein said.

“She should out the newspapers on the offering of money for stories.”

Sitrick responded saying they needed to put pressure on Ferguson to change her account.

He said: “Agree, quite frankly whatever her excuse she needs to say she was mistaken, she apologises, feels terrible. Jeffrey is not a pedophile.”

He also says that if “gentle persuasion” doesn’t work, he felt they should “turn up the heat even to the point of sending her a draft defamation lawsuit”.

Although Epstein expressed concerns that he could not “depend” on Ferguson “doing as we would wish”, Sitrick replied that her “retraction” was “critical”.

He said this would be “a major turning point and be picked up everywhere”.

Musk asks when ‘wildest party’ on Epstein’s island will be

Several emails between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein were also released in the latest DoJ file drop.

In one brief exchange in November 2012, Epstein appears to ask the billionaire how many people will be joining him in a helicopter ride to his island.

Musk says “just Talulah and me”, which appears to be a reference to his ex-wife Talulah Riley.

He then asks: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”

Just being mentioned in these documents isn’t a sign of wrongdoing.

In a public response issued on social media earlier, Musk said “no one pushed harder than me” to have the Epstein files released, and that some email correspondence with Epstein “could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name”.

Branson discusses Epstein bringing his ‘harem’ to meetings

Meanwhile, Sir Richard Branson told Jeffrey Epstein he would love to see him again “as long as you bring your harem” in emails newly-released from the Epstein files.

In the exchange, from September 2013, the disgraced financier also asked for Sir Richard’s “thoughts” on a “public relations” matter, apparently after visiting him the previous day.

The Virgin boss responded by saying it was “really nice seeing you” and that Epstein would be welcome to visit again, adding: “as long as you bring your harem!”

Sir Richard’s team say he would never have used this term if the full facts had been known and was repeating a phrase used by Epstein.

A Virgin Group spokesperson said: “Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago, and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event.

“When Epstein offered a charity donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting the donation, which uncovered serious allegations.

“As a result of what the due diligence uncovered, Virgin Unite did not take the donation and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak with Epstein again.

“Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever – Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims.”