New Epstein document release includes Prince Andrew images and political backlash

New images emerge in latest Epstein document release

Photographs show Prince Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman. She is lying on the ground. These photographs have been included in the latest release of documents linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The images are part of a massive disclosure of more than three million pages. This material was published by the US Department of Justice. The publication occurred six weeks after a legal deadline set by Congress. This deadline was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

What the photographs show

No information is provided about when or where the photographs were taken. The woman shown in the images has not been identified. In two of the photographs, Prince Andrew appears to be touching her stomach. In another, he looks directly at the camera. Officials stress that appearing in the files does not itself indicate criminal behaviour. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and his office has been contacted for comment.

Lawmakers demand access to all remaining files

The document release has intensified political pressure in Washington. Democratic lawmakers are demanding access to what they say are still-missing records. Members of the House Judiciary Committee have raised questions. They want to know why the justice department has released only about half of the material it claims to hold. In a letter, the committee said more than 200,000 pages already published were either heavily redacted or withheld entirely and called for an urgent review of the process ahead of a public hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Pressure grows for Prince Andrew to testify

Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam said pressure would continue for Prince Andrew to testify before Congress.
“We do not have jurisdiction over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” he said,
“but we are going to continue to put the pressure on making sure he and anyone else with information comes forward.”
He added that the justice department claimed to hold more than six million files, but had released only about half of them.
“They could have followed the law,” he said.
“The reality is they needed to turn over all of their files more than 40 days ago.”

Emails link Epstein to powerful public figures

The newly released files also contain email exchanges involving prominent figures. More than a thousand references to Elon Musk are across the documents, though some are repeated entries. In messages dated 2012 and 2013, Musk appears to discuss a possible visit to Epstein’s private island.
“Probably just Talulah and me,” he is quoted as writing, referring to his former wife, actress Talulah Riley.
“What day or night will be the wildest party on your island?”
Epstein replies that the “ratio” on the island might make Riley uncomfortable, to which Musk responds that “ratio is not a problem for Talulah”.
Musk has since said he had very little contact with Epstein and declined invitations to visit the island or travel on his private aircraft.

Draft indictment outlines dozens of charges

Among the documents is what appears to be a draft indictment listing 32 charges against Epstein, including prostitution and sex trafficking offences. The document is marked “old draft” in handwritten notes and appears to have originated from the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. It lists Epstein as the owner of property in Palm Beach and several companies and includes a space for the signature of former US attorney Alexander Acosta, who agreed a plea deal with Epstein in 2007 that allowed him to avoid a potential life sentence and instead serve 13 months in prison.

Financial links to Sarah Ferguson disclosed

Correspondence involving Sarah Ferguson also appears in the release. Emails from 2009 suggest Epstein claimed to have helped her financially for 15 years. In one message, she writes that she urgently needed £20,000 to pay her rent and feared her landlord would go to the press if she did not pay. Legal letters refer to arrangements to settle debts, and Epstein appears to claim long-term financial support. The former Duchess of York has been approached for comment. In separate messages, Epstein forwarded an unflattering photograph of her to another contact, describing it as “not the prettiest sight”.

Richard Branson email exchange examined

Emails involving Richard Branson also feature in the files. In one exchange from 2013, Epstein thanks him for hospitality and advice, and Branson appears to reply,
“Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!”
Virgin Group later said the term referred to adult staff members and that any contact between the two men was limited to a small number of business or group occasions more than a decade ago.

Survivors criticise release as a betrayal

Survivors of Epstein’s abuse have criticised the way the files were released. One survivor, Lisa Phillips, said it was “heart-wrenching” to hear officials suggest they were unaware of the names of other men involved in abuse.
“I couldn’t believe he could keep a straight face when he said that,” she said.
“It’s heart-wrenching when the whole Epstein saga is about other men enabling and abusing.”
Asked what closure would look like, she replied,
“All the files. When the president signed the bill, it was to release all the files. They haven’t been released.”

In a joint statement, survivors said the disclosure process had exposed victims’ identities while leaving alleged abusers unnamed, describing it as a betrayal. They said the justice department can not claim its work was complete until every legally required document had been published.

Justice department defends delays and redactions

The justice department says delays were caused by the scale of the review needed to protect victims’ identities. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the process involved reviewing a volume of material equivalent to “two Eiffel Towers” of documents. He added that the review was now largely complete, though Democrats argue that up to two and a half million pages may still be withheld without sufficient justification.

Renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s past ties

The latest disclosures have renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s past relationship with Epstein. Royal analysts say the appearance of new images and emails further undermines his claims that he severed ties with Epstein in 2010. Messages dated February 2011 suggest the two men remained in contact, raising fresh questions about earlier assurances.

What happen next

For now, it remains uncertain whether further files will be released. What is clear is that the latest batch has reopened debate over how much of Epstein’s network will ever be fully exposed and whether those linked to him will face renewed pressure to account for their connections.