Prince Andrew could be dragged into embarrassing Jeffrey Epstein case

Publication date: 21 July 2011

By STEPHEN WRIGHT

UPDATED: 23:21 GMT, 21 July 2011

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The Duke of York could be dragged into highly embarrassing court proceedings in the U.S. as early as next month.

The case involves a lawsuit being brought by Brad Edwards, a Florida-based lawyer who has represented some of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged child sex victims.

Mr Edwards will claim that the original agreement under which Epstein avoided more serious federal charges is invalid because the FBI did not notify his alleged victims before it was agreed.

Prince Andrew +3

Jeffrey Epstein +3

Embarrassing: Prince Andrew (left) could be dragged into court proceedings involving Jeffrey Epstein (right) who is facing a trial on allegations he had sex with minors

If the lawyer is successful, the paedophile could face a trial on allegations he had sex with minors.

Prince Andrew could then be called as a witness to explain his relationship to the billionaire and his knowledge of such activities.

Epstein, 58, is the paedophile billionaire financier whose close relationship with Andrew caused an international furore earlier this year.

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Andrew came under intense pressure to stand down from his role as Britain's special representative for trade and investment when disturbing details of his friendship with Epstein surfaced in February.

Two months earlier Epstein and Andrew were photographed in conversation while walking in New York’s Central Park, while the Duke was a guest of the tycoon.

Claim: 'Erotic masseuse' Virginia Roberts alleges she was sexually abused by Epstein +3

Claim: 'Erotic masseuse' Virginia Roberts alleges she was sexually abused by Epstein

Epstein had earlier been jailed for two years after he was jailed for soliciting prostitution from minors. He served 13 months.

The pre-Christmas trip was said to be the first time the duke had seen Epstein in four years.

That was bad enough but even Andrew's most loyal supporters were left floundering when a photograph emerged in late February of the smiling duke with his arm around 17-year-old Virginia Roberts, an 'erotic masseuse' who was sexually abused by Epstein.

She was one of dozens of teenage girls allegedly abused by Epstein.

As the row intensified, sources revealed in March that Andrew had promised to sever his controversial links with Epstein, with whom he had taken holidays in Florida, New York, Thailand, New Mexico and on Epstein's private island in the Caribbean.

Epstein, 58, pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008, and served 13 months of an 18-month jail sentence, much of it in an open prison.

The deal enabled him to escape more serious charges, including statutory rape, that could have resulted in a life sentence.

Persons: Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew