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Prosecutors in the United States wanted to interview Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor under caution in relation to Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking allegations, the latest release of files show. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a fourth batch of files totalling at least 8,000 on Tuesday (December 23).

The documents include records from the DoJ and FBI as well as audio recordings and videos. Also among the trove is video footage from August 2019 when the disgraced billionaire was found dead in a New York prison cell. Files show the DoJ invoked a legal agreement between the US and UK in April 2020 in a bid to interview the former Duke of York, who was stripped of his royal titles over his connection to Epstein.

Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his dealings with Epstein.

The request made to the Home Office, which was first revealed by The Sun, requested a "voluntary interview" with "Material Witness PA" and for it to be recorded before the FBI, a New York Police Department detective and district attorney.

It says: "US authorities seek to conduct an investigative interview of Prince Andrew. US authorities specifically request to conduct the questioning themselves in the presence of UK authorities to ensure that all necessary lines of inquiry are completed in the most efficient fashion".

The request adds: "US authorities further request that the witness be cautioned in the event of a voluntary interview that if he were to provide false information to authorities... he could be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice in the UK, and he may be prosecuted for making a false statement in the US".

On an investigation into Epstein it adds: "The investigation to date has revealed that Prince Andrew may have been a witness to and/or participant in certain events of relevance to the ongoing investigation.

"For example, one victim has alleged that [Ghislaine] Maxwell introduced her to Prince Andrew who, according to this victim, was present for certain of the victim's interactions with Epstein and Maxwell".

It adds documentary evidence uncovered during the course of the investigation revealed information suggesting "Prince Andrew had knowledge that Maxwell recruited females to engage in sex acts with Epstein and other men".

The request continues: "Finally, there is evidence Prince Andrew engaged in sexual conduct involving one of Epstein's victims".

It also states Andrew was not a target of the probe and US authorities had not gathered evidence of his committing any crime.

A caution details reads: "You may refuse to answer any question if a truthful answer to the question would tend to incriminate you.

"Anything you do say may be used against you. If you have retained counsel, you will be permitted a reasonable opportunity to consult with counsel if you so desire.

"Note that if you make any knowingly false statements you can be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice and other related crimes under the laws of the United Kingdom".

Officials wanted to ask Andrew questions on the following:

1. The history and nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

2. The history and nature of his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell.

3. Details on any trips Andrew took with and/or visit to Maxwell and/or Epstein.

4. Details on any trips Maxwell and/or Epstein took to visit Andrew.

5. Details of any payments Andrew made to or received from Maxwell, Epstein or any female linked to Maxwell and/or Epstein.

6. The names and identifying features of any females Andrew met through Epstein and/or Maxwell.

7. Details of any conversations Andrew participated in or witnessed during which there was discussion of Epstein's sexual preferences, practices or history or of Maxwell's sexual preferences, practices, or history; and/or Maxwell's role assisting Epstein or other men in finding females with whom to engage in sexual activity.

8. Communications, including email correspondence, between Andrew and Maxwell regarding Maxwell's attempts to introduce Andrew to females.

9. Any knowledge Andrew had or may have had of inappropriate relationships, including improper or unlawful sexual contact, involving Epstein and/or his associates with any minor.

10. Andrew's involvement, if any, in any sexual contact and/or relationship with any person Andrew met through or with Epstein and/or Maxwell.

In a statement made in June 2020, Andrew's legal team accused prosecutors of publicity seeking and giving an "entirely misleading account" of what had happened.

The statement said: "The Duke of York has on at least three occasions this year offered his assistance as a witness to the DoJ.

"Unfortunately, the DoJ has reacted to the first two offers by breaching their own confidentiality rules and claiming that the Duke has offered zero cooperation.

"In doing so, they are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance proffered".

They claimed US state attorney Geoffrey Berman had breached confidentiality when on January 27, after first making contact with Andrew, he claimed there was zero cooperation.

The lawyers said: "These statements were inaccurate, and they should not have been made".

They described as "inaccurate" a further statement by Mr Berman that the former prince had "shut the door" on cooperating.

The lawyers added: "It is a matter of regret that the DoJ has seen fit to breach its own rules of confidentiality, not least as they are designed to encourage cooperation. Far from our client acting above the law, as has been implied by press briefings in the US, he is being treated by a lower standard than might reasonably be expected for any other citizen".