It’s time for arrogant Andrew to deliver on his empty promises
COMING from a family whose women live well into their nineties, I know first hand how the younger generations care for their elders.
My great-aunt Peg lived to be 100, holding on for her congratulatory telegram from the Queen which took pride of place on her mantelpiece.
My own grandmother wasn’t far behind when she passed away.
At times, in their dotage, every so often the pair would be placed into the most wonderful of respite homes for a week to give people like my mother a well-earned break.
By the looks on their two faces, they relished their times away, seeing it as some sort of a holiday.
Today there is another elderly relative who could more than do with some respite – although in the Queen’s case it would be to get away from her shameful relatives.
Just as Her Majesty thought she could begin to breathe again following Prince Harry and Meghan’s despicable Megxit behaviour, another scandal rears its head.
While the debacle surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will eventually subside, the Duke of York’s friendship with his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein continues to inflict the most damage on the royal brand.
This week we learned Andrew has snubbed requests to be questioned over his ties to the convicted sex offender, providing “zero co-operation” to the FBI, according to a US state attorney.
Attempts by American authorities to arrange an interview with the duke have, it was claimed, been stonewalled despite the royal saying he would co-operate fully with prosecutors.
In November, Andrew said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required” after he appeared on the BBC and was questioned about his relationship to Epstein and allegations he had sexual encounters with a 17-yearold girl supplied by him.
But on Monday, in an excoriating attack, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman said: “It’s fair for people to know whether Prince Andrew has followed through with that public commitment.
“To date, Prince Andrew has provided zero co-operation.”
Pointedly, Berman made the comments at an event to raise awareness for New York State’s Child Victims Act (which extends the statute of limitations for adult survivors of child sex abuse) while standing outside Epstein’s New York mansion, where the duke once stayed with his friend.
Despite what arrogant Andy may think, no one is above the law or should consider themselves too mighty to help police with inquiries into serious sex crimes committed against exploited young women.
Whether they are a prince or a pauper, people called on to answer questions or give evidence must fully comply, irrespective of their standing in life.
The duke’s promises are empty – a world away from the man of honour he attempted to portray himself as in his car crash BBC interview when he promised to assist investigators.
The accusation that he is refusing to co-operate is yet another blow to the Queen, who must be feeling shell shocked by the actions of her family.
The monarchy exists only with public approval and the furore engulfing Andrew is significantly more serious for The Firm than rows about Harry and Meghan.
Makes you wonder if he has, as he says, done nothing wrong, why he has not spoken to the FBI already.
He has already been forced to stand down from his royal duties.
Surely his only remaining duty is to the FBI and every single victim of his now-deceased pal Epstein.