A cache of more than 100 emails alleged to involve the Duke of York is contained in the so-called Epstein Files currently being reviewed by the US House Oversight Committee, The Mail on Sunday reported, citing multiple well-placed sources who described the messages as potentially "incriminating".
The newspaper quoted sources as saying the emails — which it said include correspondence between Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell — remain among hundreds of thousands of documents being examined by Congress before they are made public. One source told the Mail on Sunday that the material could be "embarrassing and incriminating" and that the duke could be "destroyed" when the emails are released.
The Mail on Sunday said the files include messages from an account with Pipex, an early UK internet provider, and that the account is listed alongside multiple phone numbers for the duke in Epstein's address book. The report referenced previously published legal documents that have already disclosed certain emails, including a February 2011 message in which an email attributed to "a member of the British Royal Family" said, "Keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!" British media widely reported at the time that the message was from Prince Andrew.
David Boies, the lawyer who represented Virginia Giuffre in her civil claim against Epstein and his associates, told broadcaster Piers Morgan that he believed there was sufficient information on between 10 and 20 men to warrant a "serious prosecutorial investigation," and confirmed that Prince Andrew was among those he believed merited further scrutiny. Giuffre brought allegations that she had been trafficked to high-profile men; Prince Andrew has consistently denied her claims. The duke reached a reported settlement with Giuffre in 2022, with the settlement described as a civil agreement that included no admission of guilt.
The Oversight Committee has already released some material from Epstein's records, including a 50th-birthday book compiled by Epstein that contained tributes and entries from a number of prominent figures. The committee is continuing to review documents it says relate to trafficking and associated conduct, and members have indicated they are preparing a list of additional witnesses and documents they may seek to subpoena.
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a member of the committee, told the Mail on Sunday that it was working on a list of further documents, witnesses and others associated with the crimes under review and that the committee intended to move a vote for subpoenaing them. Committee members said UK citizens, including Lord Mandelson and the Duke of York, could be "invited" to testify; congressional aides noted that while UK citizens cannot be compelled by subpoena in the same way as US residents, invitations to appear can carry political and public pressure.
Peter Mandelson, a former British cabinet minister and recent British ambassador to Washington, was removed from his diplomatic role after a tranche of emails and entries published from Epstein's materials, including a lengthy tribute in the birthday book that described Epstein as his "best pal." Mandelson has denied wrongdoing in relation to his relationship with Epstein.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein who was convicted in 2021 on charges related to child sex trafficking, is serving a prison sentence and is scheduled to appear before the committee. Former US Attorney General Alexander Acosta, who negotiated a 2008 deal with Epstein that led to a largely state-level plea and a 13-month jail stay, has also been asked to appear before the committee.
The Oversight Committee has said publicly that it is seeking to hold to account those who facilitated or covered up trafficking operations. Committee members have argued that review of Epstein's records is necessary to identify victims, witnesses and those who might have aided wrongdoing.
Representatives for Prince Andrew did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Mail on Sunday report and statements from those cited provide the primary basis for claims about the contents and potential implications of the email cache. The committee has not yet published the full set of records under review and has said only that it is continuing its examination before deciding which documents are appropriate for public release.
For confidential support related to sexual violence, organisations including Samaritans and CALM provide helplines and online resources.