Duke ‘unlikely’ to be dragged into sex trafficking trial

THE Duke of York is not expected to be dragged into Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial, bar passing references.

However, his lawyers will study closely the case as it starts in New York tomorrow, aware that, either way, the outcome matters.

Maxwell is at the heart of the sexual abuse allegations made against Prince Andrew, their fates closely intertwined.

If she is found guilty, while the charges are not directly related to his own legal case, the verdict will cast a shadow over the civil claim, giving an undeniable boost to his accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Equally, if Maxwell is acquitted, it will “massively turn the tables,” one royal aide observed, serving to undermine Ms Giuffre’s testimony.

Sources say that if she walks free, Maxwell is also prepared to give evidence on behalf of the Duke, her friend of more than 25 years.

Ms Giuffre, who claims she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions, is not among the complainants who will take the stand in New York, but could expect to play a prominent role in Maxwell’s second trial, on perjury charges.

However, experts do not believe the charges – which relate to a now-settled defamation lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre against Maxwell in 2015 – will see the light of day. They relate to a nowsettled defamation lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre against Maxwell in 2015.

Maxwell is accused of lying about involvement in Epstein’s acts during two 2016 depositions in which she denied knowledge of his sex trafficking empire.

In April, US District Judge Alison Nathan ruled that the two perjury counts should be tried separately from the sex trafficking and abuse charges, and split the trial into two.

Mark Stephens, of London law firm Howard Kennedy, said: “If Ghislaine is acquitted, there will be no appetite to pursue these charges.”