Prince Andrew on November 3, 2019 in Bangkok. – Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
It’s cropping as rare as it is brutal. Summoned by the American justice system to explain itself on his links with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew swore on Monday that he had tried to testify “three times”. In the process, the Manhattan prosecutor immediately made it clear: “Again, Prince Andrew is trying to portray himself publicly as a person willing to cooperate in the investigation on sex trafficking and other crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. However, the prince did not testify with the federal authorities, declined repeatedly our requests to organize his hearing, and four months ago unequivocally informed us that he would not be going there. “
– US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) June 8, 2020
No planned extradition
According to the BBC, American justice has made an official request to the British authorities to hear Prince Andrew. “The Duke of York has offered to assist the Department of Justice (Witness) at least three times as a witness,” his lawyers said. “Unfortunately, the DoJ reacted to our first two proposals by violating their own rules of confidentiality” by asserting that it had not cooperated, they deplored, accusing the department of “perhaps wanting to seek publicity rather than to accept the assistance offered ”.
Justice Minister Bill Barr confirmed on Fox News that U.S. justice wants to hear the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. However, he replied “no” to a possible extradition request, adding: “I think it is just a question of him providing information. “
A descent into hell precipitated by his BBC interview
One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts (Giuffre), claims to have been trafficked to Prince Andrew, with whom she allegedly had three sexual relationships – including one when she was 17 – which Andrew always denied.
In an interview with the BBC which turned into a fiasco at the end of 2019, he went even further, saying that he “did not remember” having met the young woman. Problem, she provided investigators with a photo in which Prince Andrew puts his arm around her waist, Ghislaine Maxwell – who introduced Andrew to Epstein – in the background. Whoever is in 8th position in the line of succession to the British throne has questioned the authenticity of the document, without however providing any evidence. Dropped by different companies and associations with which he collaborated, “Andy” ended up announcing in November 2019 his withdrawal from public life and is now discreet.
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