Clintons agree to testify in Epstein investigation

Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in a congressional investigation into the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A spokesman for Bill Clinton confirmed on Monday (February 2) that the Clintons' decision could temporarily avoid a vote on "contempt" charges against them in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The vote could also pave the way for criminal charges against them.

The Clintons' deputy chief of staff, Angel Urena, said on social media that "the former president and former secretary of state will be there." They are eager to set a precedent that applies to everyone.

Earlier, a statement from the House Oversight Committee accused the Clintons of trying to avoid contempt by defying legal subpoenas and seeking special privileges. The committee said, “The Clintons are not above the law.”

Last week, the Oversight Committee recommended contempt against the Clintons for refusing to testify about their relationship with Epstein. The Clintons offered to cooperate with the investigation without appearing. They claimed that the investigation was politically motivated and an attempt to protect President Donald Trump, who has long been associated with Epstein.

Meanwhile, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson welcomed the Clintons’ decision to agree to testify, but did not say whether the planned contempt vote would be overturned. He said, “This is a good move. We hope everyone will respond to the congressional subpoena.

Democrats have accused Trump of using the investigation as a weapon to attack his political opponents. They say Trump has not yet been called to testify despite his long association with Epstein.

Bill Clinton reportedly flew on Epstein's plane several times after leaving office in the early 2000s. He later regretted the relationship and claimed he knew nothing about Epstein's criminal activities. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has said she had no meaningful contact with Epstein, never boarded his plane or visited his private island.

The Epstein scandal still casts a long shadow over US politics and has also had an impact on the UK. Influential figures such as Britain's former Prince Andrew and former US ambassador Peter Mandelson have also been implicated in the affair.

British police said on Monday that they were reviewing allegations against Mandelson after his name appeared more than 5,000 times in US Justice Department documents related to Epstein. In an email released last year, he was seen calling Epstein “my best friend.” Mandelson was subsequently removed from his post as ambassador to the US.

Source: Al Jazeera