Lawyers for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor refused an FBI interview over his links to Jeffrey Epstein after being told the former prince was a suspect of the investigation, not just a witness. Andrew, 66, was stripped of his titles by the King last year and has been forced to relocate to a farmhouse in Norfolk because of the fallout from his past relationship with billionaire paedophile Epstein

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has an ongoing inquiry into Epstein who trafficked and abused scores of young and underage women for sex, aided by his madame-like former lover Ghislaine Maxwell. Both Maxwell and Epstein were known tothe former Duke of York but he has always strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

The DoJ's release of the so-called Epstein files led to a spectacular fall from grace for Andrew but emails buried deep inside the document pile reveal his lawyers offered his assistance with the investigation as a witness. However, one explosive excerpt shows Andrew's legal team discovered Andrew was being viewed as a potential "subject" by the American investigation.

An email from September 2020 seen by Express.co.uk from Andrew's solicitor Gary Bloxhome shows the legal team's reaction to the revelation.

The email states: "We are of course aware that you have requested a witness interview... you have confirmed to us however...that you regard our client not as a witness but as a subject."

Mr Bloxhome elaborates during the correspondence that the admission Andrew could be a subject was made through "your liaison officer immediately prior to our recent conferences, and then during our conferences".

The email continues saying that "a fair compromise" could be Andrew giving a "witness statement" and to "further engagement with written questioning".

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, a US legal source told the paper the wording "subject" in a federal investigation means that evidence would be being sought to see if there was enough to prove "involvement in a criminal activity".

They added: "Under those circumstances no lawyer would allow their client to talk freely as they could end up incriminating themselves."

The DoJ later rejected the offer of a witness statement "compromise" and filed a request to the Home Office to compel Andrew to be interviewed. The request failed.

Express.co.uk have approached Mr Bloxhome for comment.

In February this year Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over Epstein. The former Duke has not been charged with any offence.