The Daily Beast Podcast

Episode: I Read FBI's Wild Epstein and Andrew Files: Author
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Andrew Loney, British Historian and Author

Episode Overview

This explosive episode features Joanna Coles in conversation with historian Andrew Loney, whose investigative work and book The Rise and Fall of the House of York have cast new light on the scandalous fall of Prince Andrew. Loney, using new information—including claims from FBI correspondence and intimate new sources—shares and dissects two bombshell allegations involving Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and Jeffrey Epstein. These include lurid details about Andrew’s behavior, claims about attempts to suppress the story, and the most stunning: inside leads that suggest Epstein did not die by suicide in prison.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Current State of Prince Andrew (03:41–05:58)

• Andrew Loney updates on Andrew’s current lifestyle post-title-stripping:

  • “He feels he's a free man now. He's saying he's going to go on dating apps…” (03:41)
  • Andrew remains at Royal Lodge, with talk of relocating but little action.
  • Potential legal threats: private prosecution by Republic, calls for sexual and financial investigations.
  • Sarah Ferguson’s situation also outlined; speculation about her future moves and attempts at public reinvention.

• Joanna Coles expresses skepticism at Sarah Ferguson as a symbol of “empowerment”:

  • “How is she a speaker for empowerment? She was being funded by the world's most notorious pedophile.” (04:49)

2. Reaction to the Epstein Files and Email Disclosures (05:58–07:58)

• Revelations from the “Epstein trove” show Andrew’s behind-the-scenes panic and attempts to distance himself after allegations surfaced.
• Loney describes Andrew’s approach:
  • “It was all about damage, limitations and about distancing himself from the story.” (06:13)
  • Use of police and FBI contacts to dig up information on accuser Virginia Giuffre.
• Noted that Donald Trump pivoted to accept the release of Epstein-related documents as a political necessity.

3. The Role of the Queen and Royal Family Cover-up (07:58–09:35)

• Discussion about the Queen’s enabling role and the royal family’s attempts to suppress scandal:
  • “There was even a leak … trying to basically put the blame on the Queen for not basically sorting this problem out and handing a time bomb to King Charles.” (08:06)
• Examples of suppressed stories (e.g., ABC threatened with access denial) and palace attempts to contain fallout.

4. Andrew’s Pattern of Misconduct—Prostitution & National Security Concerns (09:09–10:33)

• Details of Prince Andrew’s sexual activities made public, including an alleged weekend in Thailand with “40 prostitutes” and unvetted guests at Buckingham Palace.
• Reference to police concern and possible espionage vulnerabilities via Andrew and Ferguson’s access.

5. Bombshell Allegations — Assassination and Epstein’s Death (11:23–18:33)

A. Epstein’s Threat to Andrew and Sarah Ferguson

• Loney reveals claims that Epstein hired (or threatened to hire) a British Special Forces-trained sniper to “remove” Andrew and Fergie:

  • “Epstein thought particularly Sarah Ferguson might spill the beans on him. And this was a precautionary measure, I suppose.” (11:23)
  • Loney admits uncertainty and difficulty verifying details, but has two independent sources (Paris and Palm Beach).

  [Memorable moment] Joanna's incredulity:

  • “It sounds so conspiracy theorist. I find it hard to believe. But then so much about this story is hard to believe.” (11:52)

B. Was Epstein Killed in His Cell?

• Loney presents what he claims are internal FBI documents which support the theory Epstein was murdered by another inmate, not suicide:

  • “From what I remember, it’s a little while since I looked at it, I was shown it, but it was treated as fact. This wasn't speculation.” (17:56)
  • Loney says he cannot reveal the name of the alleged killer for legal and safety reasons.
  • Ghislaine Maxwell, via Daphne Barak, supposedly indicated a similar story.

  Notable exchange:

  • Joanna: “Internal FBI correspondence has Jeffrey Epstein being killed in his cell.” (16:11)
  • Loney: “That’s what I was told. And this is what actually Ghislaine Maxwell also said… it makes sense: someone who has very little to lose and a lot to gain.” (16:17)

6. Handling Explosive Information—Credibility and Skepticism (18:33–19:55)

• Loney addresses accusations that he’s exploiting conspiracies for publicity:
  • “Lots of people have substacks and books to sell. Doesn't mean what they say isn't true.” (19:55)
  • Joanna notes that much of what Loney previously published has now been validated.

7. Systemic Royal Cover-Up & Misconduct (21:14–24:13)

• Loney elaborates on how staff, police, and diplomats were discouraged or punished for reporting Andrew’s abuses, while royal privilege reigned.
• “The problem was…the policemen were reporting not to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, but to the head of the household, in effect.” (22:09)
• Both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson allegedly continue to benefit from royal resources even after losing status.

8. How the Queen and Prince Philip Responded (27:52–32:52)

• Discussion of Peter Morgan’s “Tony Soprano” analogy for the Queen.
• Loney suggests that Queen Elizabeth protected Andrew, while Prince Philip’s influence waned with age.
• Andrew allegedly kept staff in the dark about key events (e.g., the Newsnight interview).
• Suggests a culture of avoidance and enabling from the top down.

9. Shifting Openness from Royal Insiders (32:52–34:05)

• Now that Andrew’s fallen, more former staff and insiders are coming forward to Loney with information—sometimes on-the-record.

10. New Revelations and What’s Next (34:05–42:34)

• Loney working on a follow-up book, with “150 pages of notes so far” and new reports about Andrew’s questionable activities as trade envoy.
• Expectation that upcoming unredacted Epstein files will yield more damaging revelations about Andrew and other high-profile figures.

11. Will Prince Andrew Face U.S. Investigators? (38:50–41:04)

• Slim chance, says Loney: “I think that's very unlikely…he's not an American citizen, so I can't see him cooperating until he's forced to do so.” (39:11)
• More likely, British authorities could act based on evidence forthcoming, including major financial irregularities and evidence of cash payments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He feels he's a free man now. He's saying he's going to go on dating apps…” —Andrew Loney (03:41)
• “How is she a speaker for empowerment? She was being funded by the world's most notorious pedophile.” —Joanna Coles (04:49)
• “It was all about damage, limitations and about distancing himself from the story.” —Andrew Loney on Andrew’s reaction to Giuffre allegations (06:13)
• “There was even a leak … trying to basically put the blame on the Queen for not basically sorting this problem out and handing a time bomb to King Charles.” —Andrew Loney (08:06)
• On the “sniper plot”: “The sniper was British Special Forces trained.” —Andrew Loney (11:52)
• “This is the only bit of evidence I've got. I mean, clearly there are libel considerations. And, you know, given that what's happened to various people in this story, perhaps wiser I didn't share it too publicly.” —Andrew Loney on not naming names regarding Epstein’s murder (18:10)
• “The Epstein thing has kind of taken everyone's attention away from what is the real scandal, I think, which is where they, they've abused their position as royals to make money for themselves.” —Andrew Loney (24:13)
• “There’s some really big damaging disclosures to come.” —Andrew Loney (41:58)
• “I sometimes feel that I'm on psychedelics listening to these stories. They're so outlandish, the claims. And yet time after time, it turns out the conspiracies are true.” —Joanna Coles (43:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Prince Andrew’s current standing | 03:41–05:58 | | Email trove, Andrew's panic, Trump’s stance| 05:58–07:58 | | Queen’s enabling, palace covering up | 07:58–09:35 | | Andrew’s sexual activities, Nat’l security | 09:09–10:33 | | Epstein’s threat, sniper plot | 11:23–13:44 | | The Epstein “murder” claims, FBI files | 13:44–18:33 | | Media skepticism, Loney’s defense | 18:33–19:55 | | Royal cover-up, staff discouraged | 21:14–24:13 | | Queen & Philip’s handling of Andrew | 27:52–32:52 | | Royal household now freer to speak | 32:52–34:05 | | New book revelations, Mandelson/Epstein | 34:05–35:20 | | Could Andrew be forced to testify? | 38:50–41:04 | | What might remain in unreleased files | 41:04–42:12 | | Host wrap-up, conspiratorial air | 43:13–end |

Tone and Takeaways

• Explosive, skeptical yet grimly amused: The tone remains brisk and incredulous, with both host and guest sharing both outrage and amusement at the increasingly surreal revelations.
• Mix of detailed reporting and open speculation: Loney is cautious about what he cannot yet prove but forthright about what his sources and research suggest, openly inviting scrutiny.
• Broader themes: Abuse of power, institutional cover-ups, and the difficulty of exposing elite wrongdoing.

Conclusion

This episode offers an enthralling, sometimes jaw-dropping, guided tour through the latest, darkest corridors of the Epstein–Andrew scandal. Loney’s sources, files, and credibility are openly scrutinized, but the facts already established support his position: time and again, what sounded like outlandish conspiracy has proven true. With looming releases of more Epstein-related files, Joanna Coles promises to have Loney back as the next wave of revelations breaks.