Questions over whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be extradited to testify before the US Congress over his links to disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein are "entirely hypothetical", a UK Government cabinet minister said.
The former prince faces growing pressure over his connection to Epstein following new revelations.
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However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the King’s brother “should be prepared” to testify following the publication of US Department of Justice documents.
Pictures, which appeared to show the former duke crouched over an unidentified woman, have been splashed across the front pages on Sunday newspapers.
They are among three million documents published by the US authorities, and since their release, a second Epstein victim has come forward claiming she was sent to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew.
The woman, who was in her 20s at the time, alleges the encounter took places at his former residence, the Royal Lodge, in 2010. Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing.
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UK Communities Secretary Steve Reed was asked on Sky New’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme if the government would comply with an extradition request from the US for Andrew, should one be made.
He replied: “You’re asking me now details of legislation that would depend on the type of offence that may or may not have been committed. It’s entirely hypothetical.
“I don’t think it’s sensible for me to come on here and start talking hypothetically about situations that may or may not exist.”
Mr Reed said he had “no idea” if the UK Government could compel Andrew to take part in the congressional investigation.
The former prince was stripped of his titles by Charles last year after the posthumous release of a book by Virginia Giuffre who alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell when she was 17.
Andrew paid millions to Ms Giuffre, a woman he has claimed never to have met, to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022.
The documents published also showed Jeffrey Epstein made £55,000 payments to accounts connected to Lord Peter Mandelson between 2003 and 2004, while he was a Labour MP.
Lord Mandelson, who remains a Labour peer, was sacked as the ambassador to the US last year after revelations of his continued contact with Epstein emerged following his guilty plea in 2008 to soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor.
The peer said he had no recollection of receiving the payments.
During his visit to East Asia, the Prime Minister said: “I’ve always said anybody who’s got information should be prepared to share that information in whatever form they’re asked to do that because you can’t be victim-centred if you’re not prepared to do that.”
The documents released also appear to show the former prince’s email exchange with Epstein about a “beautiful” Russian woman and invited the disgraced financier to Buckingham Palace.
In an August 2010 exchange, two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution, for which he served 13 months in a jail work-release programme, the financier writes: “I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with.”
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In response, “The Duke” replies: “Of course. I am in Geneva until the morning of 22nd but would be delighted to see her. Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact details to get in touch.”
Andrew also appeared to ask Epstein if it was “good to be free” following his release from prison.
In a different exchange, which was also released on Friday, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell agreed that “Andrew” should choose to spend time with “Sarah and the kids” instead of visiting “the Island” where there would be “5 stunning red heads”.
The exchange is between an address named “The Invisible Man” and Maxwell in August 2002.
It suggests The Invisible Man may be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after Maxwell refers to him as Andrew and mentions his former wife’s name, while previous emails from the account have referred to having a valet and being at Balmoral with the royal family.
In an email signed “A”, the sender says: “As the planning is getting more difficult over the bank holiday weekend here I am thinking now I might join Sarah and the kids in Sotogrande for a few days which would be very important and a good thing for the girls, rather than trek across the pond.
“Please will you give me permission to do so and I am conscious of the ‘better offer’ syndrome but in this case it wouldn’t be that… I think!”
In her reply dated August 24 2002, Maxwell said “Andrew sweet heart – I fully understand if you want to spend time w/Sarah and the kids. I will not be remotely offended – sad not to spend time w/you and sad not to see you but at this point w/precious holidays and few days off I agree that this idea of coming to the Island looks less appealing”.
In a follow-up email sent on August 25 2002, after The Invisible Man confirmed he would not be coming, Maxwell said: “No problem, (redacted), who is now coming and 5 other stunning red heads will all just have to play with ourselves.”
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