A US lawmaker has written to Sarah Ferguson demanding she testify to Congress about her links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Duchess of York has gone into hiding since the release of more than three million documents from the Epstein files, which appear to show her being mentioned and pictured numerous times.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who previously called on Ms Ferguson to testify, has now written to the former duchess “respectfully” requesting that she give evidence.
Ms Ferguson is not under any legal obligation to provide evidence in the US, but is under increasing pressure from numerous members of Congress.
A US lawmaker has written to Sarah Ferguson, calling on her to testify
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GETTYCongressman Subramanyam’s letter, which was obtained by the BBC, reportedly reads: “I write to seek your cooperation with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.
“The Committee is seeking information from anyone who has knowledge of Mr Epstein’s criminal operations, and reports and released Department of Justice files reveal your close personal and business ties with Mr Epstein.
“As the Committee seeks justice for the survivors of Mr Epstein’s criminal enterprise, and transparency for the American public, I respectfully request your cooperation with the Committee’s investigation.”
Mr Subramanyam refers to documents released by the US Department of Justice that appear to show communication between the pair about setting up a female-empowered brand called Mothers Army.
Suhas Subramanyam wrote the letter to Sarah Ferguson
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GETTYGB News previously reported Ms Ferguson appeared to start a year-long effort to launch the company, with its mission to “help amplify the voices of mothers all over the world to tackle some of the tougher issues facing young people and families”.
Epstein allegedly would be involved in the former Duchess of York’s business, which stands “for integrity, consciousness, morals, etc”.
The congressman also makes reference to a file suggesting that Ms Ferguson was being bankrolled by Epstein, with one document allegedly showing her asking him for a $100,000 loan.
His letter includes details about an email which appeared to show Ms Ferguson describing the paedophile as “a legend”, adding: “I am at your service. Just marry me.” The context behind the emails has not been explained in the files.
The congressman makes reference to several files, including one which allegedly shows ‘Sarah’ telling Epstein to ‘marry me’
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USDEPARTMENTOFJUSTICEYesterday evening, councillors in York voted unanimously to remove Ms Ferguson’s title of the Freedom of the City of York.
The honour was presented to the then-Duke and Duchess of York as a wedding gift and has previously been bestowed upon figures including Winston Churchill and Dame Judi Dench.
York Council’s Labour leader, Councillor Claire Douglas, previously described it as “deplorable” that anyone holding titles connected to the city had associated with Epstein after his crimes became public knowledge.
The council invoked Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 to withdraw the Honorary Freeman status conferred upon Ms Ferguson nearly four decades ago.
Ms Ferguson was stripped of the Freedom of the City of York yesterday evening
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The former duchess’s ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, faced similar action from the local authority in April 2022, when councillors voted to remove his Freedom of the City honour and Honorary Freeman title.
At the time, councillors argued it was inappropriate for him to retain titles linked to York given the council’s commitment to addressing violence and abuse against women and girls.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and being named in the files does not indicate any misconduct.
Ms Ferguson has previously said she regretted her relationship with Epstein, stating: “I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment.”