Duke of York hires spin doctor ahead of Epstein expose

THE Duke of York has hired a political spin doctor to help rebuild his reputation as it emerged Channel 4 is making a documentary about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile who took his own life in jail in August.

Jason Stein, a one-time special adviser to Amber Rudd, the former work and pensions secretary, will start working for the Duke on Thursday as the Palace braces itself for the exposé.

The Duke has always denied any wrongdoing during his friendship with the billionaire financier, which began in 1999. He also claims never to have “seen, witnessed, or suspected” the behaviour that led to Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting an under-age girl for prostitution, for which he served 13 months in custody.

Buckingham Palace has repeatedly denied that he had any form of sexual contact with Virginia Roberts, one of Epstein’s victims, describing her claim to the contrary as “false and without foundation.”

Epstein was found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges.

It is understood the Channel 4 current affairs team has contacted former royal aides in order to investigate why the Duke stayed at Epstein’s £4million Manhattan mansion four months after his release in 2010. The Duke later admitted it was an “error of judgment”.

A royal source told The Daily Telegraph: “The Duke’s office has got a huge volume of work to deliver but a great deal of time is being taken up dealing with Epstein-related inquiries, which is where Jason will come in.”

A Channel 4 spokesman said the programme was due to air on Oct 21.