TV GRILLING FOR PRINCE AT PALACE
‘I let the side down’...Prince Andrew opens up over Epstein scandal
PRINCE Andrew has admitted he “let the side” down over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York acknowledges his conduct fell below the standards expected when he stayed friends with the US tycoon after his 2008 conviction for links to child prostitution. But in an interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis he said he could not recall meeting the woman who claims he had sex with her
when she was a teenager. In the no holds-barred interview to be screened by BBC Newsnight this evening, Andrew says: “I stayed with him and that’s…that’s…that’s the bit that…that…that, as it were, I kick myself for on a daily basis.
“Because it was not something that was becoming of a member of the Royal Family and we try and uphold the highest standards and practices and I let the side down, simple as that.”
The Queen’s second son was seen staying at Epstein’s New York mansion in 2010 after the financier served time for sex offences.
He agreed to the grilling from Ms Maitlis at Buckingham Palace in an attempt to clear the air amid the continuing scandal.
Epstein, 66, was found hanged in a New York prison cell on August 10. He was being held on sex trafficking charges following claims he procured young girls to work for him and provide sexual favours for his wealthy friends.
Orgy
Andrew, 59, has faced growing damage to his reputation since Virginia Roberts, now 35, gave testimony that she was trafficked into becoming a sex slave for Epstein.
She also alleges she was forced to sleep with the Prince three times when she was 17 – and the eighth in line to the throne was 41.
Ms Roberts, now married and using the surname Giuffre, claims she had sex with him in New York and at an orgy with nine women on Epstein’s private isle in the US Virgin islands. She also says it happened in London at the Belgravia home of Epstein’s girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell.
The Duke has repeatedly denied her claims of a sexual relationship and in this latest interview insisted he had no memory of them meeting. Ms Maitlis asks him: “One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts...” Andrew interjects: “Yeah.” She continues “…has made allegations against you. She says she met you in 2001, she says she dined with you, danced with you at Tramp Nightclub in London. She went on to have sex with you in a house in Belgravia belonging to
Ghislaine Maxwell, your friend.
Your response?”
Andrew replies: “I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.”
“You don’t remember meeting her?” Ms Maitlis asks.
“No,” he says.
Andrew agreed to the interview after six months of lobbying from the BBC Newsnight team.
Buckingham Palace officials said the 93-year-old Queen was consulted about the decision, with the BBC having editorial control and giving no advance notice of the questions, filmed on Thursday.
“Her Majesty is aware the Duke has taken part in an interview,” a Palace spokesman said.
Last night Andrew’s former wife Sarah paid tribute to him, declaring on social media: “It is so rare to meet people that are able to speak from their hearts with honesty and pure real truth, that remain steadfast and strong to their beliefs. Andrew is a true and real gentleman and is stoically steadfast to not only do his duty but also his kindness and goodness of always seeing the best in people.”
A source told the Daily Express the Prince gave the interview in an attempt to “move on” from the scandal.
“He feels it is unfair he has been vilified to such an extent,” said the source. A Palace spokesman said:
“The statements made on the Duke of York’s behalf since 2011 have sought to address the questions raised on his relationship with Mr Epstein and the allegations by Ms Roberts.
“His Royal Highness felt it was time to reiterate those statements in a television interview answering those questions openly, clearly and publicly.”
The source added: “He answers her questions directly and firmly. He feels he has nothing to hide.
“He feels that he has been locked in a strait-jacket, and has broken boundaries in giving this interview.
Scandal
“He wants to be honest about all of this and set out his position.
“It has taken some courage to speak out like this.The questioning was tough.” The Prince has offered to provide a witness statement to police in either Britain or America investigating allegations that Epstein trafficked young women for sex, including Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
Lawyer Jack Scarola, who represents several of the tycoon’s alleged victims, attacked the Duke’s decision to speak to the BBC last night.
He said he would like to question Prince Andrew “under oath” bout the scandal.
He added: “Talking to the media doesn’t quite cut it.”
The FBI is still investigating the alleged involvement of Epstein and his associates in sex trafficking.
The operation is expected to take many months but it does not appear ready to question the Prince.
In August Andrew issued a statement as the scandal blew up in which he said: “I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently... I have stayed in a number of his residences.
“At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
●Prince Andrew & the Epstein scandal: the Newsnight interview on BBC Two at 9 tonight.