Prince Andrew ‘must tell FBI all he knows’
JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S victims last night urged the Duke of York to speak to the FBI as he faced the prospect of legal action in the US.
Lawyers representing nine women allegedly abused by Epstein demanded the Duke share what he knows with authorities investigating the scandal.
One attorney asked why the Duke had maintained his friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell, the British heiress accused of acting as Epstein’s madam, even after allegations emerged against her in 2015.
The Duke admitted during the interview that he last spoke to Ms Maxwell “earlier this year, funnily enough”, when she “was here doing some rally”.
Gloria Allred, a US lawyer who is representing five of the women, told The Daily Telegraph: “Prince Andrew said the reason he went to see Jeffrey Epstein in person after his conviction as a sexual predator was because he wanted to tell him in person that he could not be in contact with him. He said he was following the advice of his lawyers. If he has nothing to hide and has committed no crime, why did he not share what he knows about Jeffrey Epstein, and his suspicions, with the FBI?
“Anyone, whether a prince or a pauper, should provide what evidence they have to law enforcement in a criminal investigation.
“The only way we will know what happened is if Prince Andrew and anyone who has any knowledge passes it on to the FBI and prosecutors without delay and without excuse.”
In September, it was reported that the FBI had expanded its investigation to identify alleged human trafficking victims of Epstein. Sources from the US Department of Justice said the FBI was looking to “several” potential
victims in the hope they could provide more details about the Duke and his involvement in the case.
After Epstein’s arrest, the FBI seized computers from his Caribbean island that may contain emails from the Duke. The agency is also in possession of the original photograph alleged to show the Duke with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, his accuser. Lawyers for Ms Giuffre have threatened to file a civil lawsuit against the Duke if he refuses to answer their questions. Last night, a former royal protection officer called for a police probe into the Duke. Dai Davies told the Daily Mirror he was “utterly” unconvinced by the Duke’s denial that he had sex with Virginia Roberts.
Lisa Bloom, who represents four of Epstein’s victims, said the Newsnight interview was “deeply disappointing”, adding: “Where is his apology for being so closely associated with one of history’s most prolific paedophiles?” The whereabouts of Ms Maxwell, the daughter of the late newspaper tycoon Robert, remains a mystery. There have been unconfirmed reports that she is in Brazil with Jean-luc Brunel, a close associate of Epstein.