Daily Express

New US TV probe ordeal for Andrew

- By Christophe­r Bucktin US Editor

PRINCE Andrew is facing a fresh spotlight being shone on his friendship with billionair­e paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in a hard-hitting US television documentar­y.

The Duke of York, who has stood down from Royal duties over his relationsh­ip with the sex offender, has declined to get involved.

Under US regulation­s and libel laws, broadcaste­rs can serve up allegation­s and informatio­n which UK media has to shy away from.

Victims

An insider said: “It is sure to make uncomforta­ble viewing.”

Andrew, 60, has been warned by lawyers to avoid further interviews after his disastrous appearance on BBC’s Newsnight.

US network Lifetime is making a four-part series about Epstein’s life, business interactio­ns and social circle. Victims of the abusive multimilli­onaire will speak on camera.

But the Duke, through his legal team, has refused to be involved.

The TV team continue to investigat­e abuse allegation­s. Insiders say they have spoken to Epstein’s former employees as well as his victims, who filed civil lawsuits against him in the US. Surviving Jeffrey Epstein is the working title of the project.The network publicised allegation­s of sexual assault against R. Kelly in 2019 in Surviving R Kelly.

As many as 10 victims have held talks about appearing. Others may be shot in silhouette.An insider said Epstein’s social circle – which also included Ghislaine Maxwell – “cannot be avoided”. The source added:

“Andrew’s legal team have told the Prince to conduct no more interviews after he spoke to BBC.

“Obviously there is now a legal concern anything he says on tape or on camera becomes potential legal material for the many civil cases facing [the] Epstein [estate] and for FBI questions regarding Andrew.

“Essentiall­y all allegation­s that mention Andrew within the context of Epstein will now be dealt with by his lawyers. The Epstein documentar­y promises to be an extraordin­ary delve into the methods and lifestyle of Epstein.

“The abuse is, of course, a crucial part of it, but the actual nature of his behaviour will be examined. That raises the subject of his social circle and friendship with Andrew.

“It is impossible to not deal with Andrew and the role that major names have played in Epstein’s operations.The channel’s legal team is very thorough about getting a reaction from Andrew and putting all the allegation­s to him.”

The show does not have a release date yet. In 2015, one of Epstein’s alleged former teenage “sex slaves”, Virginia Giuffre, said in court documents she was forced by Epstein to have sex with Andrew and others.

The Duke and the Palace emphatical­ly denied her allegation­s.

Epstein, 66, took his own life in jail last August as he awaited trial for underage sex traffickin­g.

 ??  ?? Epstein, right, took his own life. Virginia Giuffre, far right and left, with Andrew and Maxwell. She said in court documents she was forced to have sex
Epstein, right, took his own life. Virginia Giuffre, far right and left, with Andrew and Maxwell. She said in court documents she was forced to have sex
 ??  ??
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 ??  ?? Andrew...told to avoid interviews
Andrew...told to avoid interviews
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