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Prince Andrew, left, has previously been criticised for his association with Jeffrey Epstein
Prince Andrew has defended his former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying “at no stage” did he “see or suspect” any criminal behaviour.
Epstein, 66, took his own life in a jail cell this month while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
In a statement, the Duke of York said he wanted to “clarify the facts” around his “former association or friendship” with the US financier.
He said it was a “mistake” to meet Epstein after he left prison in 2010.
“During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year,” the prince said.
“I have stayed in a number of his residences. At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
The duke – who said he first met Epstein in 1999 – added that he had “tremendous sympathy” for all those affected by Epstein’s behaviour.
“His suicide has left many unanswered questions and I acknowledge and sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.”
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Prince Andrew and his mother, the Queen, travelled to church together earlier this month
Allegations against Epstein surfaced in 2005 when the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida he had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home.
The financier was accused of paying underage girls to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005.
A controversial secret plea deal saw him plead guilty to a lesser charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He received an 18-month prison sentence and was released on probation in 2010.
Prince Andrew was photographed with Epstein in New York’s Central Park in late 2010 – after the tycoon was released from jail.
Footage has also emerged reportedly showing the prince at Epstein’s mansion in Manhattan in 2010.
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In the statement, released on Saturday, the duke added: “I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know.
“This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr Epstein’s lifestyle.
“I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour.”
In July 2019 Epstein was charged in New York with further allegations of sex trafficking and conspiracy and was due to face trial next year. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges but if convicted, was facing up to 45 years in prison.
What has Andrew said in the past?
2010 – The Duke of York visited Epstein in New York in December 2010 but later said the meeting was a mistake and an error of judgement. Buckingham Palace said the duke had no contact with Epstein after that.
2 Jan 2015 – In response to the duke being named in court papers as part of a US civil case against Epstein, the palace said: “Any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue.” According to the Guardian, one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts – now Virginia Giuffre – said she was ordered to give the prince “whatever he required”. Buckingham Palace said: “This relates to proceedings in the United States to which the Duke of York is not a party.”
3 Jan 2015 – A second statement issued two days later, after further details about allegations were published in Sunday newspapers, stressed claims made about the duke were “without any foundation”. “It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”
22 Jan 2015 – Prince Andrew spoke about the claims at a World Economic Forum reception in Davos, Switzerland. He said: “I just wish to reiterate and to reaffirm the statements that have already been made on my behalf by Buckingham Palace. My focus is on my work.”
19 August 2019 – In response to questions following Mr Epstein’s subsequent arrest in 2019, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: “The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged crimes. His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent.”
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Reuters
The Duke of York was UK trade envoy for 10 years
The Queen’s third child quit his role as a UK trade envoy in 2011 after the fallout from the photos of him and Epstein in 2010.
The duke had been appointed the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment in 2001 after retiring from the Royal Navy.
He worked for – but did not receive a salary from – the government body UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), which reports jointly to the Foreign Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
