Capitol Hill Erupts Over Epstein Photos as Andrew Faces Fresh Heat and King Charles Backs Away

0:03 Callarogus, shark media and Low and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I am your host, Mark Francis. A confrontation unfolded during a House Judiciary Committee hearing when Representative Ted Lou raised questions about photographs appearing in the Department of Justice's latest release of Jeffrey Epstein related files, including images showing Andrew mount Batten Windsor. Lou referenced photos in which a woman's face had been redacted and asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the decision. I'm going to show you two photos of former Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew attended various parties with Jeffrey Epstein, Lou said. As the images were displayed, He continued, under the law Congress passed, you were allowed to redact voters to protect the victims of Epstein's sex trafficking operation.

0:53 You adapted the photos of this victim's face because you were following the congressional laws that correct. Bondie responded, I'm sorry that we redacted the victim's face. Lou repeated, because you were following the congressional law, correct. Bondie answered yes. Low then stated, you have now established that we please put the photos back up that we are looking at a sex trafficking victim under the Federal Victim's Trafficking Protection Act. Not only is Jeffrey Epstein guilty, but anyone who patronizes Epstein's sex operation is also guilty of the crime. The photos in question show Andrew kneeling over a woman whose face was obscured. In one image, he appears to look toward the camera, and another his hand is placed on the woman's abdomen. The images were included in a broader DOJ release of Epstein related materials. Lou pressed further, saying these two photos steering you in the face are evidence of a crime and more than enough evidence to predicate an investigation against former Prince Andrew. He asked Bondi directly, so I ask you, Attorney General Pam Bondi, why did you shut down this investigation last July and why have you not prosecuted former Prince Andrew. Bondy pushed back by questioning why similar scrutiny had not been directed at previous Attorneys General. Leeu replied, I agree with you. During the Biden administration, I called for people looking at Epstein files.

2:09 Merrick Garland dropped the ball, as did Attorney General Bill Barr, as did alex Acosta. A whole string of failures. But you are in charge, he concluded. You have the power to change things, to hold these men accountable, and you're doing the opposite. You're protecting them. A survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse has urged Buckingham Palace to take more proactive steps in examining Andrew. Juliet Bryant told the BBC from her home in Cape Town that she has welcomed the King's recent statement, saying he was ready to support police as they consider allegations relating to his brother. However, she questioned whether further action would follow. Bryant has never met Andrew and has made no allegations against him. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Epstein.

2:53 Referring to the Palace's response, Bryant said, it's great that they've made a statement finally, but the thing is are they going to actually act on it. I just hope they're not saying this. I would like to see them actually taking action. Bryant called for a review of Andrew's records stating they need to go through all Prince Andrew's files and emails. I think it's about time they went through his information since he was actually Epstein's friend. I think that they should be releasing information if they have nothing to hide. King Charles did not contribute to the fifteen million dollars settlement paid by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor to resolve a civil sexual case brought by Virginia Geoffrey. According to a source close to the King, Buckingham pallisers sought to distance the monarch from the payout and denied reports that he personally contributed approximately one point nine million dollars towards the settlement. Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing and settled the case in twenty twenty two for an undisclosed sum, widely reported to be fifteen million dollars. Reports have suggested that the late Queen Elizabeth provided around eight point eight million as a loan, with a further three point eight million said to have come from the estate of Prince Philip.

4:01 An additional one point nine million was reportedly contributed by other members of the royal family. The Times as reported that private family funds were used because relatives believed Andrew was innocent of the allegations. He is also understood to have faced significant additional legal costs. A source told The Sun. As far as anyone knows, he still has not repaid a single penny of the millions he borrowed. The money from the royal family bought her silence, but denied Virginia her day in court and the chance to openly challenge his account of what happened. Andrew could face life imprisonment if he were found guilty of serious misconduct linked to the latest allegations concerning his association with Jeffrey Epstein. According to legal experts who spoke with Hullo, Criminal defense solicitor Simirajot Singh Judge said, if Andrew were to be contacted by Thames Valley Police, that would usually mean officers want to speak to him as part of an ongoing investigation.

4:55 It does not automatically mean he will be charged, arrested or prosecuted. The first step would typically be an invitation to attend a voluntary interview or, in some cases, an arrest if police believe it necessary. At that stage, legal advice is absolutely crucial and no one should engage with police questioning without a solicitor present. He added that investigations of this nature can take significant time, often many months, sometimes longer than a year, depending on the complexity of the allegations. Chloe j, a criminal solicitor and senior partner at Shenton's Solicitors, said that even reaching a charging decision could take a year, particularly in a complex case. She explained that pre charge bail is generally set at three months and can be extended, but complex investigations often exceed a year. If sufficient evidence is gathered, the case would be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction and whether prosecution is in the public interest. Should charges be brought and are not guilty plea entered, a trial in the Crown Court could take a couple of years to be heard.

6:00 Chloe said a trial itself could last minimum a month, depending on the volume of evidence and related legal issues. They could to prove wilful neglect or misconduct to a degree that constitutes an abuse of public trust, so it requires a serious breach, such as giving away information that could be used in any way. Contrary to this country's interests. If the evidence is in emails or documents rather than hearsay, it will be much easier to prove. On the prospect of imprisonment, Simrajot said, whether Andrew could face jail depends entirely on the nature of the allegation, the strength of the evidence, and whether any offense is ultimately charged. Many investigations do not result in charges at all, and even where charges are brought, custodial sentences are not automatic. He stressed, it's important to stress that being under investigation is not the same as being guilty. The legal process is designed to test evidence thoroughly before any decision is made, and everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The best thing anyone in Andrew's position can do is seek early legal advice, avoid discussing the matter publicly or online, and allow the process to unfold with proper representation. Chloe said that while the maximum penalty for serious misconduct and public office can be life imprisonment, a full life sentence would be unlikely. However, she suggested any custodial sentence could be for a substantial period of time, likely years not months, depending on the real consequences of what was found. As for the likely outcome, Chloe emphasized that many individuals who

7:31 are investigated never get anywhere near a conviction, adding it won't be until he's convicted that we could be sure of anything about what's happened. More palas in just a moment, Andrew has been seen at his new home on the Sandringham estate for the first time since leaving Royal Lodge and Winsome. The sixty five year old was spotted inside Marsh Farm on Thursday, as renovations continue ahead of his full time move. According to a source, he is understood to have been visiting from nearby Wood Farm, where he is staying temporarily, to check on progress. It marked his first public sighting since relocating from Royal Lodge on February second. At March Farm, Andrew was accompanied by members of his security team while work continued on site. Contractors have previously been seen installing a security fence and sky A broadband, while builders Vans, a Digger and Porterloose have also been present.

8:26 Emergency security repairs have been carried out to an ancient perimeter wall that had collapsed. Back at Wood Farm, activity has also been noted. A company specializing in air conditioning and ventilation systems were seen entering the property, and a Waitrose van was photographed making a delivery on Friday, a week after a previous supermarket drop off, suggesting Andrew is settling into a new routine. Although he is technically downsizing from his former ninety eight acre Windsor estate, his new surroundings remain substantial. Marsh Farm sits within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and include it's its own stables, allowing him to continue horse riding. Andrew has frequently been seen riding in Windsor and was recently photographed on horseback with his daughter, Princess Beatrice and granddaughter Siena Mapalli Mozzi.

9:13 The property is surrounded by a six foot perimeter fence, and the Estates No Fly Zone has reportedly been extended to cover the area. Wood Farm, where Andrew is currently staying, is a five bedroom house best known as the residence where the late Prince Philip spent much of his retirement after stepping back from public duties in twenty seventeen. And there you have it if you'd like to email us addresses the palace Intrigue at gmail dot com. Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the app of your choice. I'm Mark Francis my next to John McDermott's Palace Intrigue in good terms