Prince on paedophile pal: I saw no evidence of his crimes

brought by some of Epstein’s many victims.

At least five women who say they were abused by the financier have filed lawsuits against his £ 450 million estate.

Epstein was found hanged in his New York prison cell on August 10 while a w a i t i ng trial on se x trafficking charges.

In a statement released yesterday, Andrew said he was aware of reports “in relation to my former association or friendship with Mr Epstein” and added he was “eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation”.

He said: “I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year. I have stayed in a number of his residences. “At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.

“I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know.

“I ha ve tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.”

He added: “I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour.”

Since Epstein’s arrest last month, Andrew has distanced himself from his former friend and said he was “appalled” by reports of his alleged crimes. However, details have emerged of how he hosted Epstein at Balmoral, while photographs have shown him at Epstein’s New York mansion in 2010, two years after the banker had been convicted of sex with a child.

Virginia Roberts, one of the women who have filed lawsuits against Epstein’s estate, has also claimed she was forced by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on three occasions between 1999 and 2001 when she was under-age.

The allegations, first made in 2015, were officially struck from the court records by a judge, who ruled they were “immaterial”.

Ms Roberts’s lawyer Brad Edwards last week urged the prince to co-operate in order to help the victims of Epstein secure justice.

He said: “I look forward to co- ordinating a formal deposition where he will be given the opportunity to tell us everything he knows.”

US legal sources say that if Andrew is considered to have information relevant to any of the civil proceedings he may be asked to give a statement on the matter.

It is also possible he could be considered a witness in any criminal proceedings surrounding Epstein’s death. Lawyers say it would be difficult to force him to go to the US to give evidence but, if he were to set foot in the country, he could be subpoenaed for his testimony. Buckingham Pa l a c e said the case “relates to proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party”. A spokesman added: “Any suggestion of impropriety with under- age minors is categorically untrue.

“It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”