A US woman who claimed that she was allegedly brought to the UK, aged 17, to have sex with the Duke of York has filed a civil case in New York claiming he abused her. Virginia Giuffre, who was an accuser of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stated that she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew in London and New York.
A spokesperson for Prince Andrew (61) said that there was “no comment” on the case, which was filed under New York’s Child Victims Act. Prince Andrew consistently denies the allegations.
The case alleges that Prince Andrew sexually abused Ms. Virginia Giuffre – then known as Virginia Roberts – at the London home of an Epstein associate and at Epstein’s homes in Manhattan and Little St James in the US Virgin Islands.
The case claims that the Prince engaged in sexual acts without her consent, knowing how old she was and “that she was a sex-trafficking victim”. The case also states that the “extreme and outrageous conduct” continues to cause Ms. Virginia Giuffre (38) “significant emotional and psychological distress and harm”.
The documents read, “In this country no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be deprived of the law’s protection. Twenty years ago Prince Andrew’s wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account.”
Speaking out about Ms. Guiffre’s allegations in 2019, Prince Andrew said that they “never happened”.
“It didn’t happen. I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever,” he told BBC Newsnight.
In a later statement, Prince Andrew said: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.
“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”Sources: BBC
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