EFTA00097889.pdf

From: To: Subject: Fwd: (SBU/DP) Urgent Guidance for DOJ: MLAT to Question Prince Andrew Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2020 17:22:56 +0000 Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: ' Date: June 8, 2020 at 1:18:24 PM EDT To: Cc: " , EUR-Press <EUR-Press-DL Subject: RE: (SBU/DP) Urgent Guidance for DOW NILAT to Questio❑ Prince Andrew Embassy London team, Prince Andrew's legal team issued a statement earlier today criticizing DOJ for how we have treated him during the Jeffrey Epstein probe. They claim that he has offered to help with the Department of Justice's Jeffrey Epstein investigation on "at least three occasions this year and has not been taken up, also that details have been erroneously briefed by the DOJ "in breach of its own rules of confidentiality" that he is non-cooperative when he is seeking to cooperate. He accuses the DOJ of "perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance." Also, his lawyers claim that two statements by U.S Attorney Geoffrey Berman in January and March that Prince Andrew was not cooperating were "inaccurate" and claim the DOJ actions have led to an "entirely misleading account" of Prince Andrew's attitude in the media. To view statement in its entirety, see: https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2020060891177/prince-andrew-breaks-silence-epstein-claims/. Press is asking us to comment on these allegations. If we fire back, it will contradict my previous statement and deviate from our standard practice of not commenting on MLA requests. However, if we respond with an accurate history of the discussions (and an accurate statement of DOJ rules), then others will join in the call for him to testify. It will make more clear that our use of a MLA request was our last choice, after all other avenues were exhausted. I am curious on Embassy's thoughts. Please advise. thank you Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement/Spokesperson U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) EFTA00097889 From Sent: Monday, June 08, 2020 9:04 AM To: EUR-Press <EUR- Press-DL@state.gov> Cc: EUR-Press <EUR-Press-DL c state. ov>. Bos ue Ada E (London) <= = Subject: Re: (SBU/DP) Urgent Guidance for DOJ: MLAT to Question Thanks M, We will still refer to D0J absent separate guidance from State. So far we have had inquires from Sky and Press Association (PA). PA asked about the impact of the MLAT request on the request for Sacoolas extradition. We have not commented. From: Sent: Monday, June 8, 2020 1:52 PM To: Subject: Re: (SBU/DP) Ur > EUR-Press <EUR-Press-DL@state.gov Hi Matt, I have been responding to press with the following: As a matter of policy, the U.S. Department of Justice does not publicly comment on communications with foreign governments on investigative matters, including confirming or denying the very existence of such communications. Thank you, Spokesperson U.S. De artment of Justice (DOJ) On Jun 8, 2020, at 3:43 AM, > wrote: Referring them to DOJ is the correct move. Calls started coming in late last night to DOJ. We have the standard: we do not confirm or deny the existence of investigations. I can get the language if you like but has it. U.S. Dept. ofJustice Attaché - London U.S. Mobile: Sent from a mobile device EFTA00097890 Fro Sent: on ay, une , : :17 AM To: EUR-Press <EUR-Press-DL@state.gov>• <LondonPressOfficePstate. ov> . . P) Urgent Guidance for DOJ: MUT to Question Prince Andrew >; London Press Office Sky News has already asked for comment. Off the record we have referred them to DOJ. We have made no comment on the record. That will be our press posture until given other guidance. Get Outlook for iOS Froa Sent: Monday, June 8, 2020 8:26 am To: EUR-Press; London Press Office Su ject: rgent ui ance or : to uestionPrince n rew DOJ and EUR/Press Colleagues, (U) Per the link below, the Sun alleges DOJ has made an MLAT request to have Prince Andrew questioned in the Jeffrey Epstein criminal probe. (U) We will need press guidance urgently. Until I hear otherwise from Washington our stance will be to defer to any questions to the Department of Justice. (SBU/DP) While the press office never comments on any ongoing investigation, if this is untrue it would helpful to have DOJ correct the record, even off the record. (SBU/DP) This will be enormously sensitive in light of: the Harry Dunn case, the fact that the Duke is the son of the Queen, the allegation that the Palace was not informed, and that the Duke may not have sovereign immunity. (SBU/DP) We can expect questions like "Did the Department of Justice side-step informing the Palace in retaliation for the UK not informing the U.S. about the international arrest warrant on Anne Sacoolas?" (SBU/DP) If the allegation is accurate, the PAO and IO should have been informed so we were not caught unaware and unprepared as we are this morning. Best, Matt Get Outlook for iOS Fro Sent. „ : 0 am To: J LondonPo ; Lon on Press O ice; Lon onEcon; Lon on Section Hea s; Lon on Front O ice Sta ; Snipe, EFTA00097891 Subject: Prince Andrew may be quizzed over Jeffrey Epstein in weeks as US officially demands Britain hand him over The Sun alleges the U.S. Department of Justice has formally asked the Home Office, via MLAT request , for the UK that the Duke of York To answer questions in the criminal probe of Jeffrey Epstein. https://www.thesun.co.ukinews/l I 805488/prince-andrew-quizzed-oyer-jeffrey-epstein-links/ Get Outlook for iOS EFTA00097892