Andrew and Tristan are currently in the US after a travel ban on them was lifted and they were able to leave Romania last week.
A criminal investigation has now opened in Florida, where Andrew claims US authorities are ‘trying to find crimes on an innocent man’.
The brothers were arrested in Romania three years ago and are facing trial allegations of rape, trafficking minors and money laundering. They deny all accusation against them.
Already subject to an ongoing investigation into alleged people trafficking in Romania, it is said the pair are due to be extradited to the UK following that inquiry to face separate accusations of rape and trafficking dating back to between 2012 and 2015.
The brothers are now being investigated in Florida. (Andrei Pungovschi/Getty Images)
Yesterday (4 March), Florida attorney general James Uthmeier said on social media that he had ordered a criminal inquiry.
He said: “Based on a thorough review of the evidence, I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in the now-active criminal investigation into the Tate brothers.”
And during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Ed Davey told the Commons: “The Tates have tried to escape justice first to Romania, now to the United States, but I’m delighted that Florida has thankfully opened a criminal investigation.
“But does the Prime Minister agree that people who are wanted by British police for such appalling (alleged) crimes should stand trial in our country?”
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They face a number of allegations. (DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)
The Liberal Democrat leader then asked: “Given (the Prime Minister’s) assessment that President Trump really is a reliable ally, will his Government request an urgent extradition of the Tate brothers?”
And Starmer responded: “This is a live issue, as he’ll appreciate, therefore I’ll tread carefully but the principle is absolutely clear – justice must be done in all cases including in this case.
“But I won’t go into the detail as it’s a live case, as he knows.”
As well as allegations that Bedfordshire Police are investigating, a civil action is being brought against Andrew in the UK by four women after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute in 2019.
Three of the British accusers were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary which was closed in 2019.
And in a separate case in December, Devon and Cornwall Police gained permission to seize more than £2 million from the brothers after a magistrate ruled they had failed to pay a penny in tax on £21 million of revenue from their online businesses.
