Duke of York ‘willing to talk’ as FBI hunts for links to Epstein
Prince agrees to cooperate with authorities as late financier’s computers are seized by federal agents
ONLINE correspondence between the Duke of York and Jeffrey Epstein is likely to be examined by the FBI as they explore the late financier’s alleged sex trafficking ring.
A “forensic” sweep of emails will tell agents which of Epstein’s friends knew anything incriminating about him, a source said.
Two desktop computers and an Apple device from Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands have already been seized and they are understood to be a significant line in the ongoing investigation.
If there were any “interesting” emails to or from the Duke, who was photographed visiting Epstein in New York in 2010, he could be asked to hand over his own communications or computers.
The New York visit came two years after Epstein, who killed himself in jail this month, was convicted of procuring an under-age girl for prostitution.
Lawyers for Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s alleged teenage “sex slave”, welcomed reports that the Duke was willing to cooperate with authorities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Buckingham Palace aides are said to have made it clear that he will assist if approached.
Ms Giuffre, 36, claims to have had sex with the Duke in Florida when she was 17, which is under-age in the state.
The 59-year-old Duke has vehemently denied the allegations. They were struck from the court record in 2015 and described as “immaterial and impertinent” by a judge.
Brad Edwards, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer, told The Daily Telegraph he hoped the Duke would now sit for a formal deposition under oath.
He said: “We have, for years, been asking for his assistance. I have noticed in his last few statements he seems more willing to help than he has in the past. For that, we are truly thankful. While I wish his full cooperation had come sooner, as many things could have turned out differently, it is always better late than never.”
Mr Edwards added: “I presume his commitment extends not only to authorities, but also for those representing the many victims as well.”
In New York, prosecutors are still pursuing a criminal investigation into Epstein and “any co-conspirators” for alleged under-age sex trafficking.
Adam Citron, a former New York prosecutor, said they would “absolutely” want to speak to the Duke.
He said it was highly probable there was already a private “back channel” between New York prosecutors and the Duke’s lawyers.
He said: “It’s always good to have a line of communication. I don’t see Prince Andrew flying to the US and going to the prosecutors’ office. It would be a fiasco. They’ll talk to him on Skype, or set up a secure line, or they’ll send an investigator to London. You won’t know about it publicly.
“Absolutely they’re going to want to talk to him as a witness. They’ll have questions about his friendship with Epstein, times they were together, who else was there, information on other people. If there are communications the FBI is interested in, it can subpoena records from internet companies or get warrants for individuals’ computers.
“It depends what they find on Epstein’s computer. If they do find something, they’re going to want Andrew’s computers. It sounds like he’s cooperating so I’m sure he would just hand them over.”
Meanwhile, French prosecutors declined to comment on whether they would seek to question the Duke during their own investigation into sexual abuse and rape by Epstein while in Paris.
‘They’ll have questions about his friendship with Epstein, times they were together and who else was there…’
Feature: Page 17