A senior House Democrat has said that a former United Kingdom ambassador has indicated he is unable to appear for an interview as part of a congressional inquiry examining matters related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawmaker, who is involved in oversight efforts tied to the investigation, stated that the former diplomat had been invited to participate in a voluntary interview but had communicated that he would not be able to attend.

No further detail was provided publicly regarding the reasons for the decision.

The congressional inquiry is focused on reviewing aspects of Epstein’s network of contacts and the handling of investigations connected to him.

Lawmakers have sought testimony from a range of individuals, including former officials and associates, as part of a broader effort to establish a comprehensive factual record.

The former UK ambassador has previously been referenced in discussions surrounding high-profile figures who had professional or social interactions with Epstein prior to his arrest in 2019. Epstein died in federal custody later that year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The House committee has indicated that it continues to pursue relevant information from both domestic and international figures.

While congressional committees do not have direct authority to compel testimony from foreign nationals outside US jurisdiction without additional legal processes, members have said they will evaluate next steps in light of the ambassador’s position.

The development comes amid renewed political attention on the scope of Epstein’s connections and the extent to which institutions responded to allegations against him.

Committee officials have said their inquiry remains ongoing and that additional interviews and document requests are expected in the coming weeks.