In a legal response to the sexual assault lawsuit against him, Prince Andrew has denied being a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell. His lawyers have also said that he wants to go before a jury to contest the claim brought by Virginia Giuffre.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations against him while Giuffre alleged that he assaulted her when she was 17 at homes owned by Maxwell and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In a 11-page court document that was filed on Wednesday, Prince Andrew’s legal team listed a number of reasons why they believed that Giuffre’s civil lawsuit should be dismissed.
One factor they ask the court to consider is the issue of consent.
The document says: “Assuming, without admitting, that Giuffre has suffered any injury or damage alleged in the complaint, Giuffre’s claims are barred by the doctrine of consent.”
The document also states that Prince Andrew “admits that he met Epstein in or around 1999”, but denies that he participated in any abuse with the late financier.
On the matter of a photograph of the prince with his arm around Giuffre, with Maxwell in the background, his lawyers say they do not have enough information to admit or deny its existence.
Elsewhere, the document also “denies” Guiffre’s claim that Prince Andrew was a close friend of Maxwell.
Writing to a US judge, his lawyers state: “Prince Andrew hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint.”
US lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represents a number of Maxwell’s and Epstein’s accusers, called this demand a “PR move”, saying Giuffre had already asked for a jury trial.
She said Prince Andrew’s request was “meaningless” as it was Giuffre’s constitutional right to have a jury trial if she asked for one.
Sources: BBC, Yahoo
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