Andrew to face two-day grilling under oath by Virginia’s lawyer
PRINCE Andrew will be quizzed by lawyers representing his accuser Virginia Roberts in London on March 10.
The Duke of York is expected to be questioned under oath at a ‘neutral’ location, likely to be either a law firm’s office in the capital or an embassy. The deposition, which could take up to two days, is set to attract worldwide media attention.
Ms Roberts, 38, claims in a civil lawsuit that she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17. The Duke has repeatedly and vehemently denied the claims.
Andrew will be grilled by lawyers David Boies, 80, known as the ‘greatest deposition taker’ in America, and Sigrid McCawley. He will be represented by top Hollywood lawyer Andrew Brettler and UK solicitor Gary Bloxsome.
The Duke’s legal team want to quiz Ms Roberts, who now uses her married name Giuffre, but are understood to be frustrated that, unlike their client, she has not yet confirmed the details for her own deposition. Andrew’s lawyers may have to take her testimony in Australia, where she now lives.
A source close to Andrew said: ‘We agreed to voluntarily produce the Duke for a deposition on March 10. Despite repeated requests, Ms Giuffre still hasn’t committed to a date or location for her deposition.’
The Duke and his accuser’s depositions have to be taken before a July 15 deadline set by a US judge.
By agreeing to a date next month, Andrew will avoid his deposition overshadowing the key public celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A live concert is due to be held at Buckingham Palace on June 4, while a spectacular pageant will be held the following day.
Ms Roberts alleges that she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, New York and on Epstein’s private island in the Caribbean.
The Duke last month issued 41 denials, rejecting all allegations of wrongdoing.
He also stated a further 40 times that he ‘lacks sufficient information to admit or deny’ other claims.
Ms Roberts’ lawyers are also set to interview the Duke’s former equerry, Major Robert Olney and a woman called Shukri Walker, who says she saw Ms Roberts with Andrew at a London nightclub in 2001
The Duke’s lawyers want testimony from Ms Roberts’s husband, Robert, and her therapist, Dr Judith Lightfoot.