Prince Andrew news – Royal ‘can’t ignore court’ over Virginia Giuffre rape claims as Eugenie arrives at Balmoral
PRINCE Andrew can no longer "hide behind wealth" and will face court over the rape claims against him, it has been claimed.
In a new lawsuit, Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre says she was “forced to have sexual intercourse with Prince Andrew against her will” and lists offences including “rape in the first degree”.
Now her lawyer David Boies has that Ms Giuffre intends to send a message that the alleged behaviour "is not acceptable and that you cannot hide behind wealth and power and palace walls".
He added that "at this point litigation is the only way to establish once and for all what the truth is - and litigation is the only way to establish once and for all what Prince Andrew's evidence actually is".
Andrew fiercely denies any allegations, says he has no memory of even meeting Roberts, and has said he had no suspicions of Epstein's wrongdoing during their friendship.
Read our Prince Andrew live blog below for the latest updates
WHY DID PRINCE ANDREW STEP BACK FROM ROYAL LIFE?
In an infamous Newsnight interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, Andrew denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre and said he had “no recollection” of ever meeting her.
He also said he has no memory of the well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
NEWSNIGHT DISASTER CONTINUED
Andrew also claims he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on the night Virginia Roberts, now Giuffre, alleges she had sex with him aged 17 and that he can’t sweat after she alleged he “sweated profusely”.
The Duke of York added he would testify under oath “if push came to shove” and described Epstein’s behaviour as “unbecoming”.The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
WHAT DID ANDREW SAY TO NEWSNIGHT?
In Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, he denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre on three separate occasions.
He said: “I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.”
The duke also said he has no memory of a well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
He did say that he regrets visiting the sex offender in New York in December 2010 and said he went to end his friendship – when the infamous photo was snapped.
But added that he only went on the visit to tell Epstein that the pair could no longer stay in contact and that he only stayed at his Manhattan home because it was “a convenient place to stay”.
THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRINCE ANDREW
CHASING ANDY
Prince Andrew, 61, has always denied any allegations that he had sexual contact with Ms Giuffre or that he had any knowledge of Epstein’s wrongdoing.
Andrew is named as the only defendant in the 15-page suit, brought under New York state’s Child Victims Act, though Epstein and his former girlfriend Maxwell are mentioned frequently throughout.
It is the first time he has been subject to a lawsuit over the case since the allegations against him were made public ten years ago.
Ms Giuffre is seeking unknown amounts of compensation and punitive damages over the allegations.
Questions are now swirling about what is next for Andrew – with the Duke not enjoying the same diplomatic immunity held by his mum, The Queen.
US officials have previously said they are not seeking to extradite Andrew, and this may not apply to Ms Giuffre’s case as it is civil suit rather than a criminal prosecution.
However, Andrew may avoid ever setting foot in the US again.
HOW IS PRINCE ANDREW LINKED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN?
The Duke of York said he first met Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier, in 1999 with the now dead banker once describing him as his “best friend.”
That was also the year the UK press reported on the pair’s friendship.
The pair are thought to have flown together on Epstein’s private jet to the US Virgin Islands.
And in June 2000, Epstein and his Brit “madam” ex, Maxwell were both guests at a party hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Prince Andrew also became close with Maxwell – pictured together that same year at a Halloween party hosted by Heidi Klum in New York.
Just over a month later, in December 2000, the then 40-year-old prince, threw Ms Maxwell a surprise birthday party at Sandringham, with Epstein among the guests.
WHAT HAS ANDREW SAID ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS? (Continued…)
Prince Andrew added: “At no stage during the limited time I spent with [Epstein] did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
All the allegations about Prince Andrew were struck from the court record in 2015.
They were described by the judge as being “immaterial and impertinent”.
WHAT HAS ANDREW SAID ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS?
The Prince has strenuously denied all allegations brought against him.
Buckingham Palace strongly denied the allegation in 2015 saying “any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors” by the Duke was “categorically untrue”.
It has consistently denied the allegations, reinforcing that statement in 2019 by saying “Any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue.
“It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”
ROYAL FIGHT
Prince Andrew does not have diplomatic immunity that could protect him from a sex abuse lawsuit filed by Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
The 61-year-old is facing a new wave of trouble over his links to the disgraced paedo financier – and its believed his status as a Royal will not be able to help him.
Members of the the immediate royal household are considered immune – but Andrew is not believed to be included in this bracket, especially after he stepped back from his duties.
Bob Morris, a constitutional law professor at UCL, told The Sun Online in December 2019: “[Sovereign immunity] is a concept devised to protect the position of heads of state, but heads of state only, not the members of their family in their function as head of state. And you can’t have more than one head of the state.
“So it doesn’t apply to the members of people’s families, there is no logic in doing so.
“Andrew is in the same position as any other UK citizen.”
STONEWALLED
Since denying the allegations Ms Giuffre’s lawyers claim that they have made multiple attempts to contact the Duke and his legal team but have been ignored.
According to her lawyer the latest letter sent to Prince Andrew was sent last month, and warned that a lawsuit could be filed.
In a infamous Newsnight interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, Andrew denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre and said he had “no recollection” of ever meeting her.
He also said he has no memory of the well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
SECOND LAWSUIT CONTINUED
In her testimony in 2016, she said Andrew and Virginia Giuffre – then Roberts – were sat on a couch with a Spitting Image puppet on her lap.
She added: “And so then I sat on Andrew’s lap – and I believe on my own volition – and they took the puppet’s hands and put it on Virginia’s breast, and so Andrew put his on mine.”
A source has now told the Mirror: “JoJo has never been driven by money, but she does want to see justice served,” they said.
“Her attorneys are closely looking at the act to see what redress may be open to her.”
The Sun has contacted a representative for the Duke for comment but the Prince has vehemently denied the allegation in the past.
SECOND LAWSUIT?
The crisis surrounding Prince Andrew may get much worse as a second sexual assault claim could be made against him.
Jeffrey Epstein’s former PA Johanna Sjoberg claims the Duke of York, 61, groped her breast when she was 21 years old.
Previously she had been unable to sue because of the amount of time that had passed.
But a likely change in US law could mean Ms Sjoberg may now be able to have her allegations heard in court.
In June, the New York State Senate passed the Adult Survivors Act, which relates to survivors of sex crimes who were 18 or older when abused.
If signed into law it will ensure those who stayed silent are able use civil courts to seek justice.
MAPPED: EPSTEIN'S WEB OF ABUSE
QUESTIONABLE CONNECTION
Prince Andrew has been advised by the ex-lawyer of rapist Harvey Weinstein.
The news emerged last night as sex accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre threatens to sue the royal.
Blair Berk, 57, known for solving stars’ legal scrapes, was consulted by representatives of the Duke of York, 61, The Sun can reveal.
She was hired by shamed film mogul Weinstein in 2017 before he was jailed for rape and sex assault following a string of #MeToo claims by film actresses.
Ms Berk has also worked for Kanye West, Lindsay Lohan and acted for Mel Gibson after he unleashed an anti-Jewish tirade when stopped by traffic cops.
It is not known if she is still working on Andrew’s behalf.
WHAT HAS COURTNEY LOVE SAID ABOUT PRINCE ANDREW?
Courtney Love has alleged Prince Andrew once tried to seduce her — amid claims that they were introduced through paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The royal turned up at the star’s house at 1am “looking for sex”, shortly after being introduced to the disgraced financier.
While they did not sleep together, Courtney — widow of Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain — has told friends Andrew was “very flirtatious”.
The 55-year-old singer was among those recently named in Epstein’s infamous black book.
WHAT HAS JOHANNA SJOBERG SAID ABOUT PRINCE ANDREW?
Johanna Sjoberg alleges Prince Andrew touched her breast in 2001 at the New York home of his pal Jeffrey Epstein, according to court papers.
In the documents Sjoberg said: “I just remember someone suggesting a photo, and they told us to go get on the couch. And so Andrew and Virginia Giuffre (formerly Roberts) sat on the couch, and they put the puppet, the puppet on her lap.
“And so then I sat on Andrew’s lap, and I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppet’s hands and put it on Virginia’s breast, and so Andrew put his on mine,” she said, saying it was done in a “joking manner”.
STONEWALLED
Since denying the allegations Ms Giuffre’s lawyers claim that they have made multiple attempts to contact the Duke and his legal team but have been ignored.
According to her lawyer the latest letter sent to Prince Andrew was sent last month, and warned that a lawsuit could be filed.
In a infamous Newsnight interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, Andrew denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre and said he had “no recollection” of ever meeting her.
He also said he has no memory of the well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
NEWSNIGHT DISASTER CONTINUED
Andrew also claims he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on the night Virginia Roberts, now Giuffre, alleges she had sex with him aged 17 and that he can’t sweat after she alleged he “sweated profusely”.
The Duke of York added he would testify under oath “if push came to shove” and described Epstein’s behaviour as “unbecoming”.The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
WHAT DID ANDREW SAY TO NEWSNIGHT?
In Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis in November 2019, he denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre on three separate occasions.
He said: “I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.”
The duke also said he has no memory of a well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre’s waist at Maxwell’s house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
He did say that he regrets visiting the sex offender in New York in December 2010 and said he went to end his friendship – when the infamous photo was snapped.
But added that he only went on the visit to tell Epstein that the pair could no longer stay in contact and that he only stayed at his Manhattan home because it was “a convenient place to stay”.
QUESTIONABLE CONNECTION
Prince Andrew has been advised by the ex-lawyer of rapist Harvey Weinstein.
The news emerged last night as sex accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre threatens to sue the royal.
Blair Berk, 57, known for solving stars’ legal scrapes, was consulted by representatives of the Duke of York, 61, The Sun can reveal.
She was hired by shamed film mogul Weinstein in 2017 before he was jailed for rape and sex assault following a string of #MeToo claims by film actresses.
Ms Berk has also worked for Kanye West, Lindsay Lohan and acted for Mel Gibson after he unleashed an anti-Jewish tirade when stopped by traffic cops.
It is not known if she is still working on Andrew’s behalf.
HOW IS PRINCE ANDREW LINKED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN?
The Duke of York said he first met Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier, in 1999 with the now dead banker once describing him as his “best friend.”
That was also the year the UK press reported on the pair’s friendship.
The pair are thought to have flown together on Epstein’s private jet to the US Virgin Islands.
And in June 2000, Epstein and his Brit “madam” ex, Maxwell were both guests at a party hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Prince Andrew also became close with Maxwell – pictured together that same year at a Halloween party hosted by Heidi Klum in New York.
Just over a month later, in December 2000, the then 40-year-old prince, threw Ms Maxwell a surprise birthday party at Sandringham, with Epstein among the guests.
WATCH: VIRGINIA GIUFFRE ALLEGES SHE WAS FORCED TO SLEEP WITH PRINCE ANDREW
Virginia Giuffre brings legal action against Duke of York over alleged abuseWHY DID PRINCE ANDREW STEP BACK FROM ROYAL LIFE?
In an infamous Newsnight interview with the BBC's Emily Maitlis in November 2019, Andrew denied claims that he slept with Ms Giuffre and said he had "no recollection" of ever meeting her.
He also said he has no memory of the well-known photograph of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre's waist at Maxwell's house, and has questioned whether it was his own hand in the image.
The fallout from the interview saw the royal criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein's victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with disgraced financier.
Andrew quit his royal duties and publicly promised to co-operate with US authorities investigating Epstein's crimes, though has since faced a war of words between his camp and American authorities over his availability to answer questions.
MAPPED: EPSTEIN'S WEB OF ABUSE
TIME TO TALK
Ms Giuffre, 37, has until Saturday to lodge a multi-million-dollar lawsuit claiming she was “lent out to Andrew for sex” by his late US paedophile tycoon pal Jeffrey Epstein when she was under 18.
Her lawyer David Boies said this week: “Time’s up.”
The Prince emphatically denies her allegations.