How Prince Andrew ‘could help convict paedophile tycoon’ Jeffrey Epstein
- Virginia Giuffre believes Duke could give useful evidence in the case of Epstein
- However her lawyer said he would most likely refuse to speak to US prosecutors
- Ms Giuffre, 35, claims she was among a number of young girls abused by Epstein
- Epstein, 66, was picked up by police on Saturday over sex trafficking allegations
A woman who claimed she worked as a ‘sex slave’ for Jeffrey Epstein – a former friend of Prince Andrew – thinks the royal could help prosecutors investigating the paedophile billionaire.
Virginia Giuffre, 35, believes the Duke of York could give useful evidence in the case of Epstein.
However her lawyer, David Boies, said the royal would almost certainly refuse to speak to US prosecutors.
He said investigators would not be able to force him to testify even though his comments could add to the ‘cumulative’ evidence against Epstein, who was in court in New York this week.
Virginia Giuffre, 35, believes the Duke of York (pictured together at a party in 2001) could give useful evidence in the case of Jeffrey Epstein. She has alleged she was among a number of young girls who were abused by Epstein and others when she was a teenager
Mrs Giuffre (pictured in Australia) has claimed in US court papers that she slept with Prince Andrew – however the allegations were later struck from the record as being ‘immaterial and impertinent’
US prosecutors have limited leverage when asking foreign nationals to give evidence. If a witness refuses to cooperate there is little they can do.
Mrs Giuffre, previously Virginia Roberts, has alleged she was among a number of young girls who were abused by Epstein and others when she was a teenager.
She has claimed in US court papers that she slept with Prince Andrew – however the allegations were later struck from the record as being ‘immaterial and impertinent’.
The Duke of York has categorically denied any involvement with Mrs Giuffre. Now living in Australia, she spoke out yesterday for the first time since Epstein was arrested.
In a statement issued by Mr Boies’ law firm, Mrs Giuffre said: ‘I am deeply pleased that federal prosecutors in New York have arrested Jeffrey Epstein and are on the case in a serious way.’
Epstein, 66, was picked up by police on Saturday over allegations that he trafficked dozens of underage women – some aged 14 – to his £60million mansion in New York and his home in Palm Beach, Florida.
The allegations date from 2002 to 2005 but when police raided his New York home they found sex toys and a safe full of pictures of underage girls, it is alleged.
Epstein has pleaded not guilty to the charges which would see him serve more than 40 years if convicted. Mrs Giuffre has claimed that she was 17 at the time she was recruited by Epstein, who allegedly loaned her out to his associates.
Epstein (pictured right with Prince Andrew – left), 66, was picked up by police on Saturday over allegations that he trafficked dozens of underage women – some aged 14 – to his £60million mansion in New York and his home in Palm Beach, Florida
She fled Epstein’s clutches in 2003 and is now a mother of three. Speaking outside the court on Monday after Epstein’s arraignment, Mr Boies told the Mail that Mrs Giuffre was ‘feeling great’.
He said: ‘She has been subjected to years of verbal abuse by Epstein and his confederates to try to discredit her. This is real vindication, she couldn’t be happier.’
Asked if Andrew should be called as a witness, Mr Boies replied: ‘If they call him he won’t answer and they can’t go over there to the UK and get him.’
As to whether the prince would have anything useful to say, Mr Boies said: ‘Yes and no, I think it’s all cumulative.’
Epstein had faced a lengthy prison sentence amid similar allegations in Florida in 2007 but struck a deal letting him plead guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
He was given 13 months in jail and has to sign on as a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. Epstein, who made his fortune in finance, once hobnobbed with the global elite such as former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and Bill Clinton.
Yesterday the former US president said he knew ‘nothing about the terrible crimes’ that Epstein admitted in Florida, or those he had recently been charged with.
Epstein’s next hearing is on Monday. According to prosecutors, he paid underage girls hundreds of dollars if they recruited other women.
His lawyers argue that his plea deal means he should not be prosecuted again.
Buckingham Palace has previously said: ‘It is emphatically denied that HRH Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. The allegations made are false.’