Andrew locked in
Duke lies low after Epstein court papers detail further grope claims
PRINCE Andrew has reportedly locked himself away after new claims about his links with paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein were unsealed.
The Duke of York, said to have harboured hopes of returning to public life two years after being stripped of his titles, has not ventured out since bombshell allegations were made last week.
A source said: “He doesn’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with this.
“He has locked himself away in a room and has no idea how to respond.”
Last week hundreds of papers were made public as part of a now-settled civil defamation case in the US, by Andrew’s sex accuser Virginia Giuffre.
The respondent was Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, jailed for aiding Epstein.
In the papers it is claimed Andrew, 63, groped American Johanna Sjoberg’s breast, enjoyed “daily massages” at Epstein’s home in Palm Beach, Florida, and took part in an “underage orgy”.
The duke has vehemently and repeatedly denied all the SNAP Younger Andrew and Virginia allegations made against him. Yesterday, US lawyer Gloria Allred told the Mirror that the duke should speak with US law enforcement about his friendship with Epstein.
Ms Allred said of the duke: “He has admitted to staying as a visitor and guest at Epstein’s mansion in New York.
“There seems to be some allegation he was in Florida as well with him. So, yes, he has information. He should say what he knows or what he doesn’t.”
Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in New York in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled suicide. Maxwell, 62, has been serving a 20-year term since July 2020. Her appeal, based on claims that victims had “faded, distorted and motivated memories”, is to be heard in November.
He should say what he knows or what he doesn’t
GLORIA ALLRED US LAWYER ON ANDREW
PUBS are ordering far less alcohol due to Dry January.
Booze trade supplier LWC said last year its sales were down 37% on a typical month and it is set to continue this January.
Around 8.5 million have signed up for the boozefree challenge, says charity Alcohol Change.
LWC has now called on punters to not forget their local pub, even if they are taking part in Dry January.
Boss Ebrahim Mukadam said the challenge boosts people’s health and can help them save money.
CASUALTY
But added: “There is one rather large casualty that comes at the expense of Dry January, and that is the already struggling hospitality industry.”
JD Wetherspoon boss Sir Tim Martin blasted Dry January as a “minor cult”, saying people had always cut back after Christmas.
Kate Nicholls, chief of UK Hospitality, urged people to visit their local as January is typically a quieter time for the sector.
It comes as cost of living crisis hits the trade.
The British Beer and Pub Association recently said 750 pubs could close by the first half of this year.