PRINCE ANDREW EXCLUSIVE
Prince puts legal team on the attack as US tries to force him to face questions over Epstein links
Duke to launch fightback TODAY as U.S. makes official demand to quiz him over Epstein
Prince Andrew will launch an extraordinary public fightback today after US authorities made a formal request for him to be quizzed over the epstein affair.
in a dramatic twist last night, it emerged that the US Department of Justice has filed a ‘mutual legal assistance’ (MLA) request for help to the Home Office. These requests are used only in criminal cases under a legal treaty with the UK.
Prince Andrew has always categorically denied any wrongdoing over his relationship with billionaire US paedophile Jeffrey epstein. But the request from US officials means he could be forced to appear in a UK court as a witness in the case within months.
US officials have previously claimed that Andrew has refused to co- operate with their requests to be questioned over epstein and their investigation into his sex trafficking network. Submitting an MLA is an audacious move to try to force him to answer questions.
However, the Mail understands that the prince will make his own dramatic move today by hitting back forcefully at claims he has failed to engage with the American investigation.
it is understood his team will publish a full account of their dealings with the Department of Justice. The Mail has been told that the duke’s legal team is ‘at the end of its tether’ and has ‘tried to play a straight bat’ with US officials, only to be greeted by leaks and innuendo.
A source close to the duke’s legal team told the Mail last night: ‘Legal discussions with the Department of Justice are subject to strict confidentiality rules, as set out in their own guidelines.
‘We have chosen to abide by both the letter and the spirit of these rules, which is why we have made no comment about anything related to the Department of Justice during the course of this year. We believe in playing a straight bat.’
Andrew, 60, is yet to speak to prosecutors in the US despite pledging in his disastrous newsnight interview in november last year that he would co-operate.
The Department of Justice’s request for ‘mutual legal assistance’ from the Home Office effectively bypasses a request to Buckingham Palace. it means Andrew could be forced to appear in a British court as a witness within months.
One of epstein’s victims, Virginia roberts, alleges she had sex with the Duke of York three times when she was 17 at the behest of the billionaire paedophile. The prince emphatically denies the allegation.
Andrew’s relationship with epstein came under public scrutiny in 2010 when photos emerged of them together in new York. By that time, epstein was a registered sex offender but the duke spent a weekend at his £57 million mansion.
The disgraced financier killed himself last August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, but his victims want justice against his alleged conspirators, including British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, 58 – the daughter of shamed media tycoon robert Maxwell. Lawyers for Miss Maxwell have previously said she denies any wrongdoing.
Andrew has categorically denied having any knowledge that epstein was sexually abusing teenage girls.
Miss roberts alleges she first had sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17 after being trafficked by epstein. She said she was flown on epstein’s private jet to London to meet the duke and the pair were photographed together in
Miss Maxwell’s Belgravia home. During his newsnight interview, Andrew said he did not recall ever meeting Miss roberts.
it was claimed last night that the request, reported by The Sun, was formally lodged by the Department of Justice last month under the terms of a 1994 MLA treaty.
if granted, US prosecutors could either ask the duke to voluntarily attend an interview and give a signed statement. But they could also ask Andrew to attend a magistrates’ court to provide oral or written evidence on oath. if he refused, the duke could be forced to attend in person.
Submitting an MLA request is not the same as requesting Andrew’s extradition. That process could be launched only if he was considered a formal suspect in the investigation and the FBi believed there was enough evidence to charge him.
Home Office sources last night confirmed the request had been made. no decision has yet been made by UK officials.
‘Believe in playing a straight bat’ ‘At the end of their tether’