Andrew faces the axe from Colonel role over law suit
PRINCE Andrew could be dumped from a prestigious military role as a “full-on crisis” grows in his camp over the lack of response to a sex abuse law suit.
The Duke of York faces being forced to stand back from a top ceremonial military appointment as the scandal surrounding him intensifies.
The 61-year-old is understood to be desperate to cling on to his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, as he continues to deny sex abuse allegations engulfing the royal family.
Aides have privately acknowledged there “is no way” he can continue in the role if, as expected, he is forced to permanently step back from public life.
A civil lawsuit filed in New York last week accusing him of sexual abuse, including “rape in the first degree”, of Virginia Roberts Giufffre, then 17, has left him further isolated.
A week on from the lawsuit being lodged, the Duke has still not issued a public response as lawyers for Giuffre accuse him of “stonewalling” their approaches to engage in a settlement.
It’s understood there is a growing issue in the Duke’s camp.
One source said: “It’s developing into a full on crisis. One side of the Duke’s team is strongly advising there must be a response to the new civil action, while the lawyers are insisting that they fully examine they have time to go through the case before responding.”
The Prince of Wales and Prince William are understood to be aligned in thinking Andrew should never return to royal duties.