Pressure Mounts on Sarah Ferguson to Testify on Epstein Links

Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has not been seen publicly for months, but the silence surrounding her is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain as US lawmakers are now calling for her to testify about her connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein. As speculation swirls about her potential media deals, the pressure for her to provide sworn testimony is mounting from multiple directions within Congress.

While much of the public focus in recent years has centered on her former husband, Prince Andrew, Ferguson is now being drawn into the spotlight of a formal US congressional investigation into how Epstein's prosecution was handled. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee, has stated that he believes Ferguson holds information relevant to the committee's investigation. "Sarah Ferguson should give sworn testimony to our committee," he said, emphasizing the importance of her cooperation.

Despite the urgency of the situation, there is no legal mechanism that would compel Ferguson, a British citizen living outside the United States, to testify before Congress. However, Subramanyam noted that lawmakers are willing to work out terms that work for her, provided she agrees to speak under oath. "We’d be happy to work out terms that work for her," he mentioned, signaling a willingness to negotiate.

Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury echoed these sentiments, urging anyone with information about wrongdoing by Epstein and his associates to cooperate with the investigation. She stated, "If Ferguson or any member of their family has such information, our responsibility is to follow the facts wherever they lead." This call for transparency is further supported by the family of prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who strongly believes that Ferguson should testify in the US immediately. Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, emphasized, "If Ferguson knows anything, she should testify in the United States immediately."

Ferguson's public absence has fueled speculation about her next move, with reports suggesting she may have been offered six-figure sums for a tell-all interview. However, US lawmakers are clear: a media interview is not what they seek. They want her under oath. The distinction is significant; a tell-all interview carries no legal weight, allowing Ferguson to say what she chooses without facing legal consequences for incomplete or misleading answers. In contrast, lying to Congress is a federal crime, which is why lawmakers are insisting on her cooperation under oath.

Ferguson's past ties to Epstein have come under scrutiny, especially following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice. These documents suggest that Ferguson was more intertwined with Epstein than previously thought. For instance, emails reveal that she contacted Epstein while he was in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor and even took her daughters to lunch with him shortly after his release. Prominent lawyer Gloria Allred, representing some of Epstein's victims, stated that the new revelations make it clear Ferguson is "not a victim in this story." She added that it is "long overdue" for Ferguson to testify under oath to Congress and also urged her to speak to police in the UK regarding their questions.

Andrew Lownie, author of the biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, described Ferguson as a "material witness," asserting that her frequent visits to Epstein's homes would have exposed her to significant information. "She will have seen just as much as Andrew. It’s inconceivable that she didn’t. She was so matey with Epstein," he told the BBC.

Despite the mounting pressure, Ferguson's representatives have declined to comment on the calls for her testimony. Media lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has represented her in defamation and privacy cases, expressed skepticism about her willingness to testify, stating, "Of course she won’t, and if she were still my client, my very strong advice to her would be not to go. It would be a disaster for her, for her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, and also for Andrew, as it would show him up for not going." This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding the potential fallout from any public testimony.

Ferguson, often referred to as "Fergie," has been a resilient figure in royal circles, having weathered numerous controversies in the past. However, her association with Epstein has led to significant repercussions, including being dropped by multiple charities last September. The Youth Impact Council, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that supports young leaders, confirmed that she stepped back from her role as ambassador at the same time.

In October, Ferguson lost her duchess title when her ex-husband relinquished his Duke of York title due to his links with Epstein, forcing her to move out of the Windsor mansion they shared. Additionally, she could face further disgrace as City of York councillors are set to discuss a proposal to strip her of her freedom of the City of York next week.

As of now, Ferguson's whereabouts remain a mystery, with reports placing her in various locations, including the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Switzerland, and possibly at a wellness retreat in Ireland. Yet, she has managed to evade being photographed anywhere, intensifying speculation about her situation.

Royal commentator Richard Palmer remarked, "She knows where all the bodies are buried. She certainly must have information that would potentially be embarrassing to the royal household." This raises the question of whether Ferguson will choose to reveal all in a memoir, as rumors suggest she may be considering a tell-all book. Harper Collins, which has published two titles with Ferguson, declined to comment on whether they have had any discussions about such a project.

Ferguson's charity, Sarah's Trust, announced last month that it would close "for the foreseeable future." The Charity Commission confirmed that it has received a formal request to close the charity, marking another setback in her already tumultuous public life. As the scrutiny surrounding her continues, the question remains: will she choose to testify before Congress or pursue a media deal instead? The public pressure campaign suggests that lawmakers are willing to keep the spotlight on her until she responds in some form.