Prince labelled liar

Duke of York and US prosecutor in row over Epstein inquiry

PRINCE Andrew has been branded a liar after he claimed he had offered to speak with US authorities three times over his links with dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The Duke of York, 60, launched a 602-word statement through his lawyers, rejecting reports he would not co-operate with the United States Department of Justice.

Prince Andrew, who has been dumped from royal duties over his friendship with Epstein, tried to draw a line in the sand with his statement.

However, Geoffrey Berman, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, rubbished the denials as a bitter war of words escalated.

“Prince Andrew yet again sought to falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to co-operate with an ongoing federal criminal investigation into sex trafficking and related offences committed by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, even though the prince has not given an interview to federal authorities … and nearly four months ago informed us unequivocally that he would not come in for such an interview,” Mr Berman said in a statement.

“If Prince Andrew is, in fact, serious about co-operating with the ongoing federal investigation, our doors remain open.”

Convicted paedophile Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail in August last year, while awaiting fresh child sex charges.

The wounded prince had hit out at leaks from the United States that claimed he had provided “zero co-operation” and threatened to force him to give witness evidence in court.

His legal team Blackfords delivered the reply early yesterday Australian time.

“The Duke of York has on at least three occasions this year offered his assistance as a witness to the DOJ,” the statement said.

The prince has been dogged by questions about what he knew of Epstein’s activities.